1 

p 

R 
I 
T 



S 

* ... 

No. 
No. 

No. 
No. 
No. 

No. 
No. 
No. 




Class 

BooLj 
CopyrightN 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 

LIBRARY 

3 To The BRITISH MUSEUM 

4 To YALE UNIVERSITY LI- 

BRARY 

5 To Mrs. A. B. FORBES 

6 To ARTHUR W. EWELL 

7 To JOHN L. EWELL, Jr. 

8 To WILLIAM S. EWELL 

9 To ROBERT H. EWELL 

10 To The CONGRESSIONAL 

LIBRARY 



THE STORY OF BYFIELD 



THE 

Story of Byfield 

21 515eto Cnglanti jaartsl) 

BY 

JOHN LOUIS EWELL, D.D. 

Professor of Old Testament Hebrew Exegesis and Church History, 
Howard University, Washington, D. C. 



With Maps, Plans, and Illustrations 



BOSTON 
GEORGE E. LITTLEFIELD 

67 CORNHILL 
I9O4 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

JAN 26 1904 

f, Copyright Entry 

\o*a, 7. I <) s u. 

<O.Ai>S O/ XXc. No. 

7^77 
COPY B 



fl4 



Copyright, 1904, 
By John Louis Ewell 



THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 
CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. 



\5> 






*; 



2To mg Wiift 

EMILY SPOFFORD EWELL 

IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION 

OF HER CO-OPERATION IN THE PREPARATION 

OF THIS VOLUME 



PREFACE 

IF one could only know in youth what he was to do in after 
life how much better he could do it ! Had I dreamed in my 
early years of writing a history of Byfield, there were many 
about me, who have long since passed on, who could have in- 
stantly given me information which I have only obtained with 
difficulty, or not at all; but up to four years ago I had never 
thought of such a work. What led to it was the publication of 
an article by me on Ezekiel Rogers and Rowley in the New 
England Magazine for September, 1899. This brought to me 
the urgent suggestion, particularly from Mr. Northend, that I 
should write a history of Byfield. At first I would not enter- 
tain the idea because my regular work was so engrossing, but 
at length I yielded, and I have found the task, while a large 
one, very pleasant. It has been lightened by the hearty co- 
operation of so many friends that I cannot attempt to enumer- 
ate them all, although under the head of authorities and, from 
time to time, in the body of the work, I have had the privilege 
of acknowledging my debt to some of them. I think, however, 
that there should be mentioned pre-eminently the late Mr. 
Northend, to whose most cordial and helpful assistance from the 
beginning until his death I have tried to give due acknowledg- 
ment in more than one place in the book, and whose decease 
before the publication of the work is a special grief to me ; 
Mrs. Forbes, who has evidently delighted to incur any pains or 
expense that could aid me, and whose interest in the book has 
been to me a constant stimulus and cheer ; and she to whom 
the book is dedicated, who has helped me throughout by un- 
ending copying, investigation, and suggestion, and to whose 



v iii PREFACE 

enthusiastic co-operation the history is largely indebted for 
whatever value it may have. 

I have sought by this book to perpetuate the memory of 
many of the men and women who have made Byfield worthy of 
remembrance, and if I have felt obliged to criticise any of them 
at all, I have remembered a remark of Professor Fisher that it is 
a serious function of the historian to pass judgment on the dead, 
who cannot defend themselves, and I have aimed to be generous 
in my criticisms. I have also hoped that the portrayal of the 
excellencies of the fathers may foster a similar character in their 
descendants of the present and future for 

They who on glorious ancestry enlarge 
Do but confess their debt, not its discharge. 

I have entitled my book a story because my aim has been to 
present the more readable and interesting facts and features of 
the history, rather than to give a complete chronicle. Hutchin- 
son says, in his " History of Massachusetts," that " we are fond 
of knowing the minutiae which relate to our ancestors " ; believ- 
ing this to be true, I have gathered up many a little incident in 
the life of our people. At the same time I hope that many por- 
tions of the story may interest those not of Byfield lineage who 
would trace the mighty current of New England's influence back 
to its modest springs. 

If I were to give several years more to the book I could render 
it more exhaustive and accurate, but if I were to wait to make 
it perfect I should never publish it at all, and so I send it forth, 
bidding it bear a kindly greeting to all who may honor it with 
their attention ; — and may God bless Byfield, and all her people, 
and her children's children, however far they may be scattered, 
throughout all generations. 

J. L. EWELL. 

Byfield, August 31, 1903. 



PRINCIPAL AUTHORITIES 



In Manuscript: — 

Record of Baptisms and Deaths, beginning 1709. 

Assessors' Records, beginning 1717. 

Church Records, beginning 1744. 

Parish Records, beginning 1762. 

Newbury Fund Records. 

Meeting-House Records. 

Records of the Sunday-School — Choir— Ladies' Benevolent Society 

and Ladies' Vestry Association. 
Rowley Records. 
Newbury Records. 
The Parsons Diary. 

The Longfellow, Pearson, Hale, Root, Pillsbury, and Ewell Ledgers. 
Documents furnished by Mrs. S. E. P. Forbes, Miss Marion McG. 

Noyes, Miss E. M. Morgan, Mrs. J. O. Hale, Miss Loraine Peabody, 

Mrs. G. H. Dole, Mrs. H. T. Pearson, Messrs. W. D. Northend, 

P. L. Home, S. T. Poor, H. Longfellow, G. W.Adams, L. Adams, 

E. I. Dole. 
Letters from many of those just mentioned, also from the late Prof. 

E. A. Park and Principal C. F. P. Bancroft, from Messrs. W. O. 

Webber and P. N. Spofford, Mrs. J. Howard Nichols, and very 

many others. 

Pamphlets and Newspapers in great numbers — many of them loans 
from kind friends; among newspapers particularly the Newbnry- 
port Herald, Georgetown Advocate, and Byfield Parish Bulletin. 
Among pamphlets special use has been made first of all of J. N. 
Dummer's "Brief History of Byfield" —the highly praiseworthy 
pioneer history of the parish. Special mention should also be made 
of Cleaveland's Centennial Address at Dummer Academy ; President 
Wood's "Parker Cleaveland ; " Northend's Address at the 125th 
Anniversary of Dummer Academy; Ware's Eulogy on President 
Webber; and Little's "Contribution to the History of Byfield," 
also termed by the author, " An Outside View." Many other pam- 
phlets have been of great service ; also scrap-books compiled by 
Mrs. A. W. Lunt, the mother of Mr. W. H. Morse, and Mr. J. N. 
Dummer. 



x PRINCIPAL AUTHORITIES. 

Books : — 

Gage's History of Rowley. 

Coffin's History of Newbury. 

Currier's Ould Newbury and History of Newbury — the latter not 

published until half of this history was written. 
Blodgette's Early Settlers of Rowley. 
Professor Parsons' Memoir of Chief Justice Parsons. 
The Standard History of Essex County. 
Hurd's History of Essex County. 

Contributions to the Ecclesiastical History of Essex County. 
Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit. 
Miss Emery's Reminiscences of a Nongenarian. 
The Hale, Chute, Cheney, Poore, Adams, Woodman, Stickney, and 

Spofford Genealogies. 
Mather's Magnalia. 
Hubbard's History of New England. 
Winthrop's History of New England. 
Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts. 
Barry's History of Massachusetts. 
Dr. E. E. Hale's Story of Massachusetts. 
Bodge's King Philip's War. 
History of Rindge, N. H. 
Lechford's Plain Dealing. 

McClure and Parish's Life of President Wheelock. 
Dr. Parish's Sermons. 
The Westbrook Papers. 
John Quincy Adams' Diary. 

Of the many to whom I am indebted for oral information I will only men- 
tion the departed, and I do so tenderly and gratefully — Mrs. Otis Thompson, 
Mr. Benjamin Pearson, the sixth, and Mr. E. I. Dole. 

Fuller descriptions of some of these authorities will be found at the 
beginning of several of the chapters. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Preface vii 

Principal Authorities „ . . . ix 

Illustrations xiii 

Chapter 

I. What and Where is Byfield? i 

II. The Natural Features, the Natural History, and 

the Indian Period 8 

III. Ancestral Homes beyond the Sea 17 

IV. The Pioneers 45 

V. During the Ministry of the Rev. Moses Hale ... 70 

VI. During the Ministry of the Rev. Moses Parsons . 101 

VII. During the Ministry of the Rev. Elijah Parish, D.D. 159 
VIII. During the Ministry of the Rev. Isaac Barbour, the 
Rev. Henry Durant, LL.D., the Rev. Francis V. Ten- 

ney, and the Rev. Charles Brooks 209 

IX. During the War of the Rebellion and Since . . . 252 

X. The Bi-Centennial Celebration 272 

APPENDIX 

Pastors of the Congregational Church 303 

Pastors of the Methodist Church 303 

Deacons of the Congregational Church 304 

Superintendents of the Congregational Sunday-School . 305 

Superintendents of the Methodist Sunday-School .... 306 

Masters of Dummer Academy 3°6 

List of the Loan Historical Exhibition 3°7 



xii CONTENTS 

Page 

List of the Historic Sites marked 307 

Master Moody's Recommendation of Samuel Webber . . , 31c 

Advertisement of the Female Seminary 313 

Soldiers of the War of the Rebellion 313 

College Graduates from Byfield 319 

Spinning-Bee 321 

Parish and other Funds 322 

An After Word 323 

INDEX 327 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Bi-centennial Celebration Frontispiece ^ 

Photograph by Ramsdell. 

Judge Nathaniel Byfield. 1653- 1733 Opposite page 4 

4 

Photograph by the author. 



Frazer's Rock . 
Thurlow's Bridge 



Photograph by W. S. Ewell. 

" A plain 

Of salt grass, with a river winding down " 

Deed from Byfield Indians, with their Marks. 1681 . . 

Yew older than the Conquest (1066); Churchyard of 

Bishopstoke, England 

Photograph by the author. 

Ancient Parish Church, Walton, England 

Photograph by the author. 

Cholderton, England, Home of the Noyes Family . . . 

Phoiograph by the author. 

Kemerton Manor House, England 

Photograph by the author. 

Dr. John Clarke (Clark) 

Chief-Justice Samuel Sewall. 1652-1730 

The Original Longfellow House, built about 1676, as it 
appeared in 1875 

By permission of Harper and Brothers. 

The Parsonage of 1703, as it appeared in 1875 • • 

By permission of Harper and Brothers. 

The Witham (Dickinson, Pillsbury) House 

Photograph by Prof. H. R. Moody. 

" The Top House " (Robert Jewett House), Warren Street 

Photograph by Prof. H. R. Moody. 

The Plan of the First Meeting- House 

Drawn by Rev. D. P. Noyes. 

The Plan of the Second Meeting-House 

Drawn by Rev. D. P. Noyes. 

Lieut. -Gov. William Dummer. 1677- 1 761 

Photograph by the author. 



IO 

10 
15 

26 
26 

34 

34 

52 
52 

54 
54 
62 
62 

72 
72 



s 



THE 

STORY OF BYFIELD 



CHAPTER I. 

WHAT AND WHERE IS BYFIELD? 

Special Authorities : Newbury and Rowley records. 

BYFIELD is in Essex Co., Massachusetts. It is not a town, 
as so many suppose, but a parish. Its people were never 
separated from their fellow-townsmen for civil, but only for 
religious purposes. 

Originally each town made one parish, but as the towns grew 
and their more remote portions were settled, the population fre- 
quently became too large and too widely scattered to attend 
worship in one place ; so there would often after a time be two 
or more parishes in one town. These parishes must be marked 
off by definite bounds, so that no one might evade his " ministry 
Rate." 

In the case of Byfield, it happened that the people in the cor- 
ners of two towns, namely Newbury and Rowley, were set off in 
a new parish, although many, who are so far posted as to know 
that Byfield is not a town but a parish, suppose that it all lies in 
Newbury. In fact, ever since 1838, when a part of Rowley was 
incorporated as the town of Georgetown, Byfield has comprised 
adjacent portions of the three towns of Newbury, Rowley, 
and Georgetown. Indeed, it happened that the present meet- 
ing-house was built partly on one side of the line between New- 
bury and what is now Georgetown, and partly on the other, and 



2 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

at least one pew is thus divided so that a man and his wife can 
worship in the same pew but in different towns. 

As only the religious tax was assessed according to parish 
lines, the bounds were not drawn and maintained with the same 
exactness as those of towns. I have been unable to find any 
boundary determined with distances and angles until 1809 when 
the line between Byfield and the first parish of Newbury was 
thus defined, and 18 16 when a similar line was run between 
Byfield and the second parish in Rowley, now in Georgetown. 
A remonstrance to the line of 1809 and a counter statement by 
the Byfield committee show that the original line, at least against 
Newbury, ran " by farms and lots ; " that is, so that each lot and 
each farm might as far as possible fall on the same side of the 
line. These " bounds were not transcribed into the act of in- 
corporation," and there were " subsequent transfers," so that 
the original lines can only be approximately determined. 

The original Newbury record runs thus : — 

At a Legal meeting of the Freeholders and propriators of the Town 
of Newbury Oct. 25th, 1706 Decon Cutting Noyes Chosen Moderator 
. . . upon reading the petition of the Inhabitants of the Falls in 
y e Town of Newbury ... It was voated y' y e Dividing Line in 
Reforance to their procureing and maintaining a Minister amongst 
themselves and for y' only said Line shall begin at Rowley River's 
mouth and so up said River to Rowley Line and so all thence of the 
Southwardly side of the falls River and of the Northwardly side of 
the falls River Taking in John Chaney with his Land he Lives on 
and Mr. Moody's Farm and the Farm comonly called Mr. Long- 
fellow's Farm and Mr. Gerrishes Farm and the westerly part of y e farm 
called Thirloes farm until it comes to the Dividing line between Frances 
Thirloes Farm and Thomas Thirloes farm for so long a time as they shall 
maintain an orthodox minister amongst them Voted on y e Affirmative. 
Ensigne Richard Kent dissented. 

In this record " Rowley River's mouth " means what we call 
Oyster Point, that is, the junction of what is now called Mill 
River with the Parker. The " falls River " was the Parker. Al- 
though it is not definitely so stated, the Parker seems to have 
been the northerly bound from Oyster Point to the dividing line 



WHAT AND WHERE IS BYFIELD? 3 

in " Thirloes " farm. The description of the northerly bound 
in the record begins at the northwest corner of the Newbury 
part of Byfield. John " Chaney " (Cheney) lived near the resi- 
dence of the late Mr. Benj. Pearson ; Mr. Moody on the place 
where Miss Harriet Moody now lives. " Mr. Longfellow's 
Farm " is still in the family and the name. Mr. Gerrish lived 
where Mr. Lacroix lives now, and " the Dividing line between 
Francis Thirloes farm and Thomas Thirloes farm " is said to be a 
stone wall just east of Mr. Asa Pingree's house. There the line 
seems to have turned south and run to the river, which, as was 
just said, appears to have been the northern bound from that 
point to its junction with Mill River. 

The Rowley records have three important entries as to the 
Byfield bounds. The first reads : 

At a legall meeting of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Rowley 
march the : 16 : 1702-3 It was Agreed and voated that the Inhabi- 
tants of the Towne of Rowley living on the North west side of the 
bridg called Rye plaine bridg and on the North west side of the hill 
called Long hill and Joyned with the farmers of Newbury that doth 
border on us in building a New meeting house for the worship of god 
Shall be Abatted their Rattes in the ministery Ratt in the Town of 
Rowley : if they do maintaine with the help of our neighbours at New- 
bury an Athordaxs minister to belong to and teach in that meeting 
house that they have buillt : untill such times as it is Judged that there 
is a sufishent Number to maintaine a minister in the Northwest part of 
our Towne without the help of our Neighbours at Newbury that doth 
border upon us ; whose Names are as foloweth that have their Rattes 
Abatted : Samll Brockelbanke ; Jonathan Wheeler ; Richard Boynton ; 
Benjamen Plumer Henry Poor John Plumer Dunkin Steward Ebenezer 
Steward Josiah Wood John Lull Jonanth Looke ; John Brown Nathaniell 
browne ; Ebenezer Browne James Chutte Lionell Chutte Andrew Stickne 
James Tenney 

Voted and pased on 
the Affirmative 

" Rye plaine bridg " is the bridge between the Georgetown 
almshouse and J. L. Ewell's house; practically, " the North west 
side " of that bridge seems to have taken in Warren Street. 
This designation and " the North west side of the hill called 



4 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Long hill" seem to have included the greater part of what is 
now Georgetown. A more definite record is found in the Row- 
ley records under date of May 13, 1707, four years later than 
the one just quoted. It reads as follows : 

It was Agreed and voated that there Shall be a line Setteled 
between our neighbors that belongs to the New meeting house and us 
belonging to the ould meeting house for paying Rattes to the ministery 
and Shall begin at the great Rock in Newbury line at the head of the 
great Swamp lotts and So along by the north west end of them lotts : 
to Thomas Jewets land and so between Thomas Jewets and Rye plaine 
land : to the bridg called Rye plaine Bridg and So to the way that 
runs to long hill beg[inn]ing at the path a[t] this Side francis Nelsons 
house and So to long hill and So along to the road at the elders plaine 
that goeth to Samuel Brokelbank's taking in all his farm and the farm 
layd out as the right of Thomas Barker and So to Bradford line and 
along as Bradford line runs to Newbury line. 

passed on the affirmitive. 

In this record the following points are pretty clear: "the 
great Rock in Newbury line at the head of the great Swamp 
lotts " is Frazer's Rock a little back of the present parsonage, 
now the meeting point of Newbury, Rowley, and Georgetown. 
A straight line from there to " Rye plaine Bridg " would pre- 
cisely correspond to the present line between Rowley and 
Georgetown. The " path " to Long Hill must be what is now the 
highway between Mr. L. R. Moody's and Mr. E. P. Searle's. 
There was no town road over Long Hill until 1 7 1 3. "The 
elders plaine " was what is now Marlboro. Samuel Brockelbank 
lived where Rev. Charles Beecher lived in my youth, and the 
family of the late Melvin G. Spofford lives now. Thomas 
Barker's farm was south of Pentucket Pond ; from there the line 
followed what is now the road from Georgetown through South 
Groveland toward Bradford up to the present Groveland line. 

There are also lists of persons in Rowley and in Newbury 
who had half their ministry rate abated in 1701. The reason is 
not given in either case, but from their location as far as it is 
known, it is probable that they had already begun to contribute 
to the new religious enterprise, and so their ministry rate in their 




JUDGE NATHANIEL BYF1ELD 
i6S3-I733 




FRAZER'S ROCK 

Boundary-point of Newbury, Rowley, and Georgetown 



WHAT AND WHERE IS BYFIELD? $ 

old religious homes was abated. The Rowley list is the same as 
that quoted in the record of 1 702-3 ; only, the earlier list lacks 
the name of Lionel! Chute. Of these men, Mr. Brockelbank's 
home has been mentioned. Dunkin Steward appears to have 
lived where Mr. Fletcher lately did in Warren Street. One 
Chute homestead was where the cellar is, near the church 
on the road leading from the church direct to Georgetown, and 
another where the late Mr. James C. Peabody lived. Andrew 
Stickney lived where J. L. Ewell does. 

The record of a similar abatement in Newbury is as fol- 
lows : — 

At a Legal meeting of the Freehold' 5 and Pprior rs of Newbury 

Decern' 9th 1701 Mas r [?] Thomas Noyes esq r Moderat r 

Upon y e request of 

m rs Elizabeth Dumer m r John Dumer m r Joshua Woodman, Lut William 
Moodey John Wicomb Nathan Wheeler m rs Jane Gerrish in behalf of 
her Tenant m r Richard Dumer, John Smith, Phillip Goodridg Joshua 
Woodman Jn r John Cheney Collen Frazer Phillip de-lano Robert Mingo 
y' the one half of theyr minis rs rate heere may be abated for this next 
[indistinct word, probably year] Rate that is to be made the Free- 
hold" and Ppriet rs of Newbury grant theyr proposition. 

The location of a part of these has been mentioned. In addi- 
tion it may be said that Mrs. Elizabeth Dummer probably lived 
on Fatherland Farm, and the old Woodman place is on Fruit 
Street, and the old Goodrich place on Forest Street, both near 
the Byfield station. Mr. Frank Ambrose's house has an ell that 
is known from of old as the Wicomb ell ; Mr. Horsch's place was 
anciently a Wheeler place; and " Frazer's Rock" suggests that 
Collin Frazer lived near it, perhaps at the end of the pleasant 
lane from Rev. Mr. Torrey's and Miss Tenney's, where there is 
still a well of delicious water. 

Additional valuable information may be drawn from the pas- 
toral church and parish records, particularly from the record of 
baptisms and deaths kept by the first two pastors. These indi- 
cate the families in connection with the church and the parish. 
The bounds appear to have been changed repeatedly for the 
convenience of various families. In the absence of maps and 



6 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the dearth of explicit statements, it is impossible to be precise 
and positive, but I will now try to trace as nearly as I can the 
entire circuit according to the evidence that I have been able to 
gather from living lips and the records of the past. Alas, that 
one to whose intimate knowledge and unfailing kindness I have 
been greatly indebted on this and other points has already been 
called away, — the late Mr. Benj. Pearson. 

Mill River was, though not originally, yet from a very early 
time, the line, from its junction up to near Mr. Dummer's saw- 
mill ; then the boundary curved to the south so as to include the 
Minchin, and probably the Dresser and Martin houses. It in- 
cluded certainly from a very early time the house formerly on 
Long Hill, and after the second parish of Rowley which lies in 
what is now Georgetown was set off in 1731 it ran east of Mr. 
Mooney's and Mr. Arthur Kneeland's, taking in Mr. Dawkins' 
and all on that road as far as and including Mr. S. T. Poor's, 
all on Thurlow Street as far as and including the second house 
beyond the railroad crossing, where Mr. Aaron Kneeland lives, 
all on the road from Mr. S. T. Poor's, including Mr. A. C. Poor's 
on the lane, to the station, but just leaving that out, all on West 
Street, all on River Street, and all on Forest Street as far as and 
including Mr. Lyman Pearson's. The line probably ran between 
Mr. Benj. Pearson's store and the hall on Central Street, run- 
ning just north of Mr. Mighill Rogers' on Fruit Street. If the 
hall is in Byfield, then all on that street south of the store to the 
Byfield Woollen Mills, including those mills, and all on the road 
from there to Newburyport, that is, Orchard Street, and includ- 
ing probably the lanes running north from it until we come to Mr. 
Pingree's, as was said before, and including Mr. Pingree's, would 
be in Byfield. It will be seen that the original Byfield does 
not take in nearly all of what now bears the name around the 
Byfield station, but only the westerly portion. In justice and to 
avoid historical confusion, it would seem that the post-office 
now called South Byfield should be designated as Byfield, and 
the one at the station as North Byfield ; for the people around 
the Congregational meeting-house, which is the ancient and 
geographic centre of the parish, get their mail from the South 



WHAT AND WHERE IS BY FIELD? 7 

Byfield office. If I am not mistaken, the late Rev. Daniel P. 
Noyes and Rev. Isaac W. Wheelwright always insisted that the 
adjective " South " should be removed from the designation of 
the southerly Byfield post-office. Possibly, however, it would 
better meet the present conditions of the case and prevent in- 
convenience to let the post-office at the station retain its name 
and to change the designation of the other office to that of Old 
Byfield. 

A radius of two miles from the Congregational meeting-house 
as a centre would draw a circle roughly coincident with the 
ancient outlines of Byfield, — that is, after the second parish of 
Rowley was set off; before that the parish stretched to the west 
of the meeting-house some four miles. The parish is longest 
from east to west, the distance from Oyster Point to Mr. S. T. 
Poor's being about five miles. It contains, I suppose, in the 
neighborhood of twelve square miles. 

As to the population of Byfield, the map in this history indi- 
cates about 185 occupied dwelling-houses in 1892, excluding a 
few which are outside the ancient lines. If we assign five per- 
sons to each house — and this would seem a moderate estimate, 
for a number of the houses have more than one family each — 
and then add 73 for the hamlet at the factory, we have about 
1000 for the present inhabitants of the parish. This population 
is increasing near the station and holding its own elsewhere. 

The parish bond of union has always been chiefly religious, 
but growing out of that there have been strong social ties, and 
these have attached many to it who did not deeply feel the re- 
ligious attraction. Now for some seventy years the ancient 
lines have had no legal value ; everybody has attended church 
and paid where he pleased, or nowhere if he pleased, and there 
have been two religious centres in the old parish ; but the two 
churches are of one heart, and all within the old borders, and 
multitudes without, feel a kindly interest in the story and the 
welfare of Byfield parish. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE NATURAL FEATURES, THE NATURAL HISTORY, AND 
THE INDIAN PERIOD. 

Special Authorities ; Mr. J. H. Sears of Salem, Mass., Prof. W. J. McGee 
of Washington, D. C. 

GEOLOGY. 

BYFIELD is a good place to take lessons in geology. 
Long Hill is a characteristic drumlin ; that is, a long, high, 
smooth, unstratified hill of glacial origin. It is over a mile 
long, two hundred feet above the sea, and one hundred feet 
above the adjacent ground. It bears a silent but potent witness 
to the might of the ancient sheet of ice that once enveloped all 
the region. The great glacier towered possibly thousands of 
feet above it, and the hill was the deposit of the drift that was 
borne along in its lower portion. 

What was known as Rye plain when the parish was set off, 
or the region of Warren Street, has, in Mr. Witham's land and 
thereabouts, interesting kettle holes. These are deep, circular 
depressions. Mr. Sears pronounces Rye plain " an overwash 
of post-glacial sand," that is, it was deposited in the period of 
abounding waters and floods which resulted from the melting 
of glaciers. These kettle holes are supposed to mark spots 
where the rushing floods swirled around some detached mass 
of ice, and so scooped out deep, crater-like hollows. 

Between Warren Street and Long Hill are extensive peat 
meadows. Peat is a kind of half-made coal. Most of the 
young are unfamiliar with it, but those who grew up in the 
western part of Byfield fifty years ago need no description of 
it. Its brown-black to black color, its salve-like tendency to 
stick to the hands when newly dug, the roots with which it 
abounded, and the great prostrate trunks of ancient trees 



GEOLOGY. 9 

which sometimes stopped the peat-knife, are familiar to memory. 
There was a set of tools made expressly for cutting peat. After 
the sod had been removed the peat was cut in long black 
blocks about three or four feet long by four inches square, and 
came up dripping from the peat-ditch ; then it was spread on 
the meadow, and when partially dry it was piled up cob-house 
fashion. After about four weeks it was dried through and was 
fit to be stored under cover. It made a hot, durable fire. The 
last thing at night would be to cover up a fresh piece of peat in 
the coals and ashes, where it would be found all aglow in the 
morning to rekindle the new day's fire. It emitted a peculiar 
ground-like odor as it burned, and tended to smoke up the 
walls and furniture, but there was nothing unhealthy in the 
smoke or the odor, and it was a great boon to people in mod- 
erate circumstances. With the larger incomes of to-day and 
the accessibility of coal, and because it required so much labor, 
peat has gone out of use ; but the beds are there still, and the 
day may yet come when somebody will be grateful to draw 
upon their treasures. 

A boulder train runs from the northeast to southwest from 
east of Mr. Leonard Adams' house to west of the meeting 
house; some of these boulders are of great size and afford an 
illustration of the gigantic facilities for transportation possessed 
by the ancient glacier. Mr. Sears finds the most interesting 
geologic feature of Byfield in the range of volcanic rocks which 
extends from Clay Lane (Hillside Street) across Dummer 
Academy grounds to Oyster Point and beyond. What mighty 
forces must have once convulsed the region, now so quiet, to 
have belched forth those huge masses through the earth's crust. 

At many points along the streams, in the pasture of J. L. 
Ewell for instance, if I may take for an example what I am most 
familiar with, one may see beautiful illustrations of ancient 
terraces showing how much broader the bed of the stream was 
in geologic time. 

Perhaps the most charming contribution of geology to By- 
field scenery is afforded by what are technically called the 
" drowned " valleys of the Parker and of Mill River below the 



10 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

head of tide water. A subsidence of the land along the coast 
admitted the flood tides to the valleys of these streams. 
Hence we have our beautiful marshes or salt meadows. When 
I was a little boy, the causeway at Thurlow's bridge was so 
low that in high tides it would be covered with a foot or 
more of water. I well remember the grandeur of the view of 
the broad sheet of water, unbroken save by the bridge and 
covering all the marshes, so that it looked like a large lake to 
me as I sat between my parents in the chaise, while the faith- 
ful family horse slowly splashed his way across the flood, ap- 
parently not ungrateful to be permitted to take that moderate 
pace which was congenial to his years. 

Byfield has many beautiful views. One is from the turnpike 
bridge over the Parker. This is at its perfection on a summer 
day near sunset, when high water occurs at that hour and the 
wind is east. The full river winding down from inland through 
broad level marshes, and visible far out toward its mouth, 
bordered by steep, wooded hills alternating with gently sloping 
fields and rocky pastures with here and there a farm-house, the 
rich sunlight bathing all the landscape, the gorgeous-hued 
western horizon, and the air full of the quickening flavor of the 
sea, — all unite to impress upon the heart 

a sense sublime 
Of something far more deeply interfused, 
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns. 

Another choice view is from Long Hill, whence the eye 
takes in a broad landscape that includes the greater part of the 
county; hill and valley, field and woodland, stretch away in 
long and varied perspective in all directions. From that 
eminence it seems as though most of the land were still the 
forest primeval. Toward the east the land view is bordered by 
a long range of white sand-hills, with the clustering spires 
of Newburyport to the left, and, beyond the sand, the blue 
ocean extends to the horizon, speckled with the white sails and 
the smoke-stacks with their long trail of smoke to remind one 
that the sea is a vast net-work of lines of travel whose roads 




THURLOW'S BRIDGE 




" A plain 
Of salt grass, with a river winding down " 



NATURAL HISTORY. II 

" lead everywhere to all," while toward the west on a clear day- 
one may trace the blue outline of Monadnock fifty miles away. 

Some of my older readers may recall the dear old Long Hill 
house, of which only the cellar has been left now for more than 
twenty-five years, and the delight they once enjoyed of sitting 
at Major Stickney's west attic window and sweeping the broad 
landscape of land and sea with his long spy-glass. I could 
add many other views dear to all Byfielders, and some of them 
with more than a local renown. 

The soil of Byfield varies ; that of the Newbury portion is 
usually good, some of the Rowley side is good, some poor, 
most of the Georgetown part is poor. In 1794 Mr. Joseph 
Chaplin made an excellent map of Rowley, that is, what is now 
Rowley and Georgetown, and attached some interesting notes 
in the corners of the map. In these notes he says of the centre 
of the town, " Most of [it is] little better than barren and unim- 
provable lands ; and it is a fact that many families who inhabit 
this part can scarcely subsist, though they pay little or no 
taxes." The region which he thus criticises comprises the 
western part of Rowley-Byfield and most of Georgetown-By- 
field, but Mr. N. N. Dummer has now for three years proved 
that some of its light soil can be made, with the favor of Provi- 
dence, to wave with broad and beautiful fields of full golden 
heads of rye. 

NATURAL HISTORY. 

The fauna of Byfield originally included the wolf, the bear, 
the deer, and the moose. In the earlier part of Reuben Pear- 
son's ledger are frequent entries for making moose-skin 
breeches, but it is not probable that any moose were then found 
in Byfield, for the moose is very shy of human neighbors, — 
although one seven feet high was killed in Salisbury in 1733. 
The wolf held his ground tenaciously. Hounds were imported, 
and traps were set, and bounties paid for his head for a long 
time. Rowley had several pens for catching wolves, one of 
them west of the Nat Taylor barn below the Dole neighborhood, 
and another " somewhere below Symond's Bridge " (the bridge, 



12 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

I suppose, east of the Taylor barn) ; so two of the Rowley 
wolf pens were close to the Byfield line and possibly one was 
within it. On the Newbury side, the depression of an ancient 
wolf-pit can, it is said, still be traced on Forest Street within 
the Byfield line. In 1665, that is, thirty years after the settle- 
ment of the town, Thomas Thorlay (Thurlow) killed seven 
wolves in Newbury. 

Mr. Parsons' diary says that a bear was killed on Dea. 
Moody's farm in 1750. The first Benjamin Stickney of Long 
Hill, who died in 1756, had a pig stolen from his pen in the 
night by a bear, and being awakened, I presume by vigorous 
squealing, he chased the bear with a hoop-pole, that is, a 
slender pole which being split would make two hoops, and 
rescued his pig. The gentle deer was early protected by law, 
but not early enough to save it from extinction in this region, 
although of late occasional specimens seem to be finding their 
way down to us from New Hampshire. My own family caught 
a full view of one in front of our house in the summer of 1900. 

Judge Sewall, in his beautiful prophecy for Newbury, predicts 
that Christians shall be there trained for heaven " as long as 
any free and harmless doves shall find a White Oak or other 
Tree within the Township to perch or feed or build a careless 
nest upon, and shall voluntarily present themselves to perform 
the office of gleaners after Barley-Harvest," and Rev. Mr. 
Parsons, who was pastor of Byfield from 1744 to 1783, writes on 
one occasion in his diary, " pidgeons plentiful." I trust that 
Byfield still trains Christians for heaven, but the wild pigeon is 
almost unknown, although Mr. Lunt of Glen Mills is said to have 
shot four in 1900. Mr. Elijah Searle, who is one of our most 
observant citizens, tells me that he has not heard the whistle of 
the killdeer for forty years. An otter is still caught at rare 
intervals in our streams, and the wakeful raccoon occasionally 
pierces the night-air with its cry. With the exceptions that 
I have noted, the fauna of Byfield is much as it was of old. 

The flora is still rich. The flowering cornel or dogwood (not 
the poisonous) lights up the woodlands with its gay profusion 
of large white pink-tinted flower-like bracts, the maiden-hair 



NATURAL HISTORY. 1 3 

fern nestles in the crevices of the damp rocks, the Rhodora 
unfolds its rich purple flowers in defiance of the biting east 
winds of our bleak spring in solitary nooks, to prove that 

Beauty is its own excuse for being, 

the beauteous triad, the Calopogon, the Pogonia, and the 
Arethusa allure their lovers into the wet meadows, the scarlet 
cardinal flower makes many a brook gorgeous, and in late 
autumn a more diligent search will be amply rewarded here 
and there in moist places with finding the fringed gentian. 

Thou waitest late and com'st alone, 
When woods are bare and birds are flown 
And frosts and shortening days portend 
The aged year is near its end. 

There lies before me a very kind letter from Mrs. William 
Horner of Georgetown, in which she specifies forty-two of the 
rarer flowers that adorn the forests, fields, and meadows of 
Byfield. She writes, " It is a fine locality for collectors, and I 
have had many pleasant and profitable rambles there." Salmon 
and shad and oysters formerly abounded in our waters. As 
lately as 1840, Coffin tells us that there was not a day in the 
year in which the inmates of the Newbury almshouse, which 
was more recently the home of Mr. Alfred Ambrose, could not 
obtain oysters enough for their own use. All of these have 
disappeared from within our limits, but trout and pickerel, 
perch and pouts are still caught in our fresh-water streams, and 
our tide waters abound in alewives and smelts; and only last 
week a horse was frightened by a sturgeon which leaped out 
of the river just as he was crossing Thurlovv's bridge. 

Byfield seems a pleasant place to her children. I have known 
my great uncle, Alfred W. Pike, the teacher, to shed tears of 
tender reminiscence as he retraced the paths of his childish 
wanderings in Byfield woods ; and the recollection of Byfield's 
rural charms inspired some of Albert Pike's sweetest poetry. 
I am sure that many of Byfield's sons and daughters whose 
work has called them far away from their birth-place can 
appreciate the feelings of Alfred and Albert Pike from a similar 



14 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

attachment which binds their untravelled hearts to the scenes 
of their childhood. More and more of them contrive to return 
to the old homesteads in the summer, and more and more 
people whose ancestral trees did not grow in our parish appre- 
ciate its attractions as a summer home. 



THE INDIANS OF BYFIELD. 

Byfield was a favorite haunt of the Indian. When the white 
man came, all the territory from the Merrimack south as far as 
the North River of Salem and inland as far as Andover was 
subject to Masconomo, whom Winthrop terms " the Sagamore 
of Agawam," that is, Ipswich, where his home was. The 
record of Masconomo does honor to his race. Would that it 
had been commemorated by some of our poets who have sung 
the praises of the Indian. When Governor Winthrop in the 
" Arbella " cast anchor off Cape Ann over the Lord's Day in June, 
1630, on the voyage which ended with the settlement of Boston, 
Masconomo went aboard with one of his men and stayed nearly 
all day. One wonders what impression the English Puritan 
way of hallowing the Sabbath would make on his untutored 
heart. Did what he saw on that day draw him quietly to the 
religion of his new neighbors until, fourteen years later, he 
petitioned the Massachusetts legislature to be instructed in the 
Christian religion? Sixty years later still, that is, in 1704, we 
find his grandsons testifying that it was with their grandfather's 
" Knowledge, Lycence, and good Liking " that the Englishmen 
settled in his territory. He was the unchanging friend of the 
colonists until his death in 1658. He was buried at his home 
on Sagamore Hill in Hamilton, which was then a part of 
Ipswich. At about 1700, Rowley and Newbury as well as 
other adjacent towns quieted the title, if I may so say, of the 
grandchildren of Masconomo by the payment of various sums 
of money, and received deeds from them in return. Rowley 
paid them £g, Newbury ;£io. This is, so far as I know, the 
latest trace of the family of Masconomo, the noble sachem who 
was so friendly to the white man and his religion. 



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DEED FROM BYFIELD INDIANS, WITH THEIR MARKS. 1681. 



THE INDIANS OF BYFIELD. 1 5 

The River Parker was a favorite resort of the Indian, and 
especially its falls, where the Byfield Woollen Mill now stands. 
Along the stream he caught the sturgeon, and at the falls vast 
quantities of alewives and salmon in their season. On these he 
feasted when they were fresh, and he dried great quantities of 
them for use at other times. Pause for a moment, if you 
please, to picture in imagination those ancient days in Byfield 
when primeval forests of lofty trees covered the places where 
now pleasant houses and well-tilled fields smile, when the 
streams were fuller and the springs more abundant, and the 
Indian chased the deer and the moose with his bow and arrow, 
tall and lithe, swift of foot, keen of eye and scent and hearing, 
for — 

He was fresher from the hand 

That formed of earth the human face, 
And to the elements did stand 

In nearer kindred than our race. 

Twice just before the settlement of Byfield, the pestilence had 
far more than decimated the original people, so that there were 
very few living within the limits of the parish to meet the white 
comers. An Indian known as " Old Will " figures in the early 
records; he or his family claimed a tract of land near the 
Falls. Finally in 1681 Henry Sevvall bought whatever title his 
heirs had to that property, which was called " the Indian field " 
and contained about one hundred and sixty acres, as well as 
all their rights to any other lands in Newbury, all for .£20. A 
copy of their quit-claim deed, with the marks of Job, Hagar, 
and Mary Indian attached, has been kindly furnished me by 
Mrs. J. O. Hale. The original document is still preserved in 
Lowell. There are traditions and statements of the survival of 
a lone Indian or two in the vicinity almost down to our own 
day; for instance, Mr. Enoch Floyd, who died in 1872 in his 
ninety-fifth year, saw the wigwam of one near where Mr. Benj. 
Pearson's sawmill stands, and Mr. Giles Woodman tells me that 
in his childhood he saw an Indian named Thomas die in the 
Bailey house on Forest Street ; Mr. Woodman also tells of the 
marriage of a daughter of Thomas to one of our white people, 



1 6 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

so that the aboriginal race is continued in one of our worthy 
families. The Virginian aristocracy are said to be proud of 
such a tincture, and I know not why it should not be equally 
honorable in Byfield. 

Although our fathers had little to dread from home Indians, 
those from without their borders kept them constantly under 
arms and forced them to build garrison houses, as they were 
called, for their protection ; and Byfield experienced one Indian 
tragedy in the evening of that autumn Lord's Day in 1692, 
when Mr. Goodrich, his wife, and two daughters were killed 
while they were at family prayers, and another little daughter, 
seven years old, was carried captive. The house which was set 
on fire by the savages, but only partially burned, was taken down 
in recent years. It stood on a lane running south from North 
Street. The willow planted four generations ago still shades 
the cellar, and one can still trace the path by which the 
Indians stole around the wooded hill that fateful Sabbath 
evening so long ago. All these long and tragic struggles 
live only in the pages of Gage and of Coffin, and all the 
memorials that Byfield has of her strange Indian people who 
dwelt here so long but wrote no records, are the relics that 
one and another have collected, notably Mr. F. Bateman and 
the late Mr. J. C. Peabody, and the hardly recognizable Indian 
burying-grounds like that near Mr. Stephen Kent's on Central 
Street. 

Hither the silent Indian maid 
Brought wreathes of beads and flowers, 
And the gray chief and gifted seer 
Worshipped the god of thunders here. 

The bright pure faces and healthy forms of the Indian boys 
and girls who now receive training at Hampton and similar 
institutions permit us to hope for a better future for some of 
our Indian tribes who yet survive. 



CHAPTER III. 

ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 

Special Authorities : Town and county histories, genealogies, etc., in the British 
Museum and English parish registers. 

STIC KNEW 

I WAS in England in 1869, but with me as with many- 
others, the genealogic passion did not awaken in youth, 
and it was not until 1888 that I began to search out the English 
homes of our forefathers. On a bright June morning of that 
year, I took a delightful walk of three miles from Sibsey rail- 
way station to Stickney. Stickney is in the fen country or 
lowlands of Lincolnshire, some eight miles north of Boston. 
The roadsides were fringed with sparkling English daisies, and 
the pastures were bright with buttercups ; the hawthorn hedges 
perfumed the air with their blossoms, and the hedges and the 
lofty English elms which towered above them were vocal with 
the morning carols of a multitude of tuneful birds. Great 
flocks of sheep and many cows were grazing on either side. 
The houses were of red brick with red tiling, and here and 
there a " back linter " (lean-to) or a cluster of purple lilacs in 
the front yard reminded me of my own dear grandmother 
Stickney's home on Long Hill. 

I found Stickney a pleasant hamlet of six hundred and 
eighty-four souls, with an ancient church more than four hun- 
dred years old. The rector, Rev. G. H. Hales, was a graduate 
of Eton and Cambridge, who was not ashamed to own that 
between the two courses he had worked as a mechanic — I 
suppose to earn money to complete his studies. All honor to 
such scholars. After the hospitable English manner, he 
brought out those thin slices of well-buttered bread so refresh- 
ing to a pedestrian, and offered me my choice of sherry or tea 



1 8 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

as a beverage. Unlike any other English village that I have 
visited, so far as I know, and I have usually inquired upon 
that point, the farmers of Stickney were small freeholders, not 
one owning as much as two hundred acres. The village 
enjoyed a free school, which was founded in 1678. Altogether 
it seemed a typical English hamlet, such as charms the reader 
of Howitt's " Rural England," and I could hardly have begun 
my filial journeys more pleasantly. 

SPOFFORTH. 

Two days later I was at Spofforth. I do not know that there 
are any Spofforths or Spoffords, as we spell the name, now 
within the present limits of Byfield, but before the second 
parish of Rowley, in what is now Georgetown, was set off, there 
were several prominent families of that name in our parish, and 
there have been those of Spofford blood ever since. Spofforth 
is in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The parish has one 
thousand six hundred and nine people. The village is very clean, 
solid, and attractive in appearance. Its houses are of stone, 
though many of the roofs are of thatch. I stopped at the 
Castle Inn, so named from the ruins of Spofford Castle just 
outside the village. The high-backed " settle " where the 
farmers sat before the fire that cool June evening and sipped 
their ale and gossiped in broad Yorkshire dialect, revived 
faint recollections of similar seats that I had seen in New 
England. They pronounced 'coming' c5-ming, ' niece ' nace, 
and ' no ' ndah. The rich old furniture of my bedroom would 
have tempted an American lover of the antique to extravagant 
bids. Two features of my breakfast were a pitcher of real 
cream and mutton chops of a sweetness unusual even in that 
land so famous for its delicious mutton. 

The ruins of the castle are imposing and beautiful ; how 
splendid, then, it must have been in its glory, with its banquet- 
ing hall seventy-five feet long and thirty-six broad, when 

Lord Percy made a solemn [stately] feast 
In Spofford's princely hall. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 1 9 

The church has a similar antiquity to that of Stickney. The 
walls of its tower are eight feet thick, and are so massive that 
although it has no foundation but mother earth, it stands plumb 
after all the centuries that have passed over it. The spacious 
and noble rectory deserves the name that it has in some book 
of " the great rectory of Spofforth," and its grounds are larger 
and more beautiful, as they live in my memory, than any that I 
have seen since in similar English parishes. I suppose the 
incumbent at present (1901), the Rev. Wm. Pearson, would be 
generally regarded as a fortunate clergyman, for his net income 
as rector is ^800. From this country parish there have gone 
forth an Archbishop of York and even one of Canterbury. 
Altogether Spofforth abounds in suggestions of the substantial 
worth, the refinement, and the thrift which have been to so 
high a degree characteristic of the American Spoffords. 

SANDWICH. 

In 1895 m y quest of English places associated with Byfield 
led me to Sandwich and Rowley. As I paid a second visit to 
Rowley, I will defer speaking of that place. I visited Sandwich 
because Henry Ewell, who was in all probability the ancestor 
of the Byfield Ewells, came from Sandwich to Plymouth on 
"the good ship Hercules" in 1634, and became one of the 
first settlers of Barnstable. 

My route to Sandwich took me through the vast hop fields 
of Kent. Sandwich is to-day one of the quiet towns where 
Sunday lasts through the week, but this is only because the 
sand has choked the sea. Of old its location, looking out across 
the straits of Dover to the French coast, gave it great promi- 
nence. An eleventh-century chronicle terms it " the most 
famous of all the English ports." From its exposed situation 
it suffered greatly from the Danish pirates and invaders, now 
being laid waste with fire and sword, and now persuading them 
to turn back by a gift of three thousand pounds, and yet 
again having its hostages sent back with hands, noses, and ears 
cut off. On the other hand, it was from Sandwich that the 



20 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

proud fleets of Edward III. set sail to subdue France, and it 
was to Sandwich that they returned when successful, with 
princely prisoners and splendid trophies. Later, Queen Elizabeth 
was royally entertained in Sandwich. The beautiful mansion 
which was the centre of the festivities on that occasion is still 
standing and in perfect condition ; before it a hundred children 
on a platform spun " fyne bag yarne " in her presence, and 
within the banquet was spread for the virgin queen, and upon 
the lawn in the rear a silver cup was presented to her. 

The Reformation found early acceptance in Sandwich, and 
here the new faith suffered persecution. After the massacre of 
St. Bartholomew's in France in 1572, this generous town by the 
sea received those who fled to it across the straits with open- 
handed hospitality. So Henry Ewell was only acting in the 
spirit of his enterprising and progressive town when he became 
a member of Plymouth Colony and a founder of one of its 
settlements. 

I pass now to my European tour of 1901, which had for its 
principal object somewhat extended journeyings among the 
homes that furnished the settlers of Byfield or the progenitors 
of those settlers. 

COVENTRY. 

My first visit was to Coventry in the County of Warwick. 
Coventry is a busy, thriving town of 70,276 people, with " three 
tall spires," known to every reader of Tennyson as the home of 
Lady Godiva and the " one low churl " who 

Peeped — but his eyes, before they had their will, 
Were shrivelled into darkness in his head. 

I stopped over at Coventry on my way from Liverpool to 
London, because the Sewall family was from Coventry. 
Coventry had a very conspicuous and honorable position in 
olden times, and it is no small honor to the Sewall family that 
for four or five terms within fifty years it supplied the city with 
mayors. The city hall has an ancient fresco with a multitude 
of shields containing the names of the mayors of former genera- 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 21 

tions and the dates of their terms of office. Here I read 
" Henry Sevvall 1587," " Henry Sewall, 2nd Time, 1606," "Wil- 
liam Sewall 1635," " William Sewall 1637." These dates do not 
altogether agree with those in the Sewall diary, but I copied 
them carefully. That diary has also a William Sewall, vintner 
or wine merchant, put down as mayor in 1617. The noble 
parish church of St. Michael's has a " brass " in memory of 
Ann Sewall, wife (as nearly as I could decipher the word) of 
William Sewall. This William was probably the mayor of 1617, 
for his wife was named Ann. Upon this brass there is the 
kneeling figure of a woman in Elizabethan dress, and under- 
neath is this beautiful tribute : 

Her jealous care to serve her God, 
Her constant love to husband deare, 
Her harmles harte to everie one, 
Doth live allthough her corps lye here: 
God grannte us all while glass doth run, 
To live in Christ as she hath donne. 

My day in Coventry was intensely hot for England, about 
87 Fahrenheit. My discomfort was increased by the fact that 
I was still wearing the heavy clothing in which I had landed that 
morning ; but it grew delightfully cool toward night, and as I 
sped away to London in the twilight of the long English mid- 
summer day I felt amply repaid for stopping over in the heat 
by the tokens that I had seen of the position and worth 
of the English Sewalls. 

NEWBURY. 

My second excursion was to Newbury, Ashsprington, and 
Bishopstoke, all in the south of England. Newbury was the 
home of the Rev. Messrs. Parker and Noyes, and was so prom- 
inently connected with the original emigration that it gave a 
name to one of the two settlements out of which Byfield grew. 
It is a town of 11,002 people, fifty-three miles a little south of 
east from London. Its situation in the lovely and fertile valley 
of the Kennet is charming. It is an historic spot: it was 
formerly a great centre of the broadcloth trade; two great 



22 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

battles of the war between Charles and Parliament were fought 
in its neighborhood ; and at an earlier period one of its people, 
John Smalwode, better known as "Jack of Newbury," was a 
foremost citizen of England. Being ordered to furnish three 
or four soldiers for a campaign against the Scotch, he fully- 
armed and equipped a hundred, and led them himself. He 
entertained Henry VIII. and Catherine of Aragon beneath his 
roof, and would have been ennobled but he declined the honor. 
A fact more significant in the emigration from Newbury to New 
England is that the Reformation gained a strong foothold in 
Newbury very early. In the reign of Henry VIII. there was a 
reformed congregation of two hundred meeting there by stealth ; 
three or four of them were burned at the stake, and Fox has 
immortalized the name of one — Thomas More. The moderator 
of the Westminster Assembly, Dr. Twisse, was the minister of 
the Newbury parish church, and his body was buried in West- 
minster Abbey, though the partisan spirit of the Restoration did 
not allow it to remain there. Mr. Parker was the curate of Dr. 
Twisse, and Mr. Parker and Mr. Noyes taught in the ancient 
grammar school. Mr. Parker had studied not only in Oxford, 
but also in Dublin and in Leyden. A few weeks later I found 
this entry in the records of Leyden University : " July 15, 1614, 
Thomas Perkerus Anglus 20 Y." Put alongside this record 
the following from the parish baptismal register of New- 
bury: "1593 Dec. 9 Thomas Parker son of Thomas." This 
Thomas would be twenty years old July 15, 1614, so no doubt 
the "Thomas Perkerus Anglus [Englishman] 20 Y," of 
Leyden is the Thomas Parker who was baptized in Newbury 
Dec. 9, 1 593 ; so Cotton Mather's statement that Mr. Parker, 
first pastor of our Newbury, was a Leyden student is con- 
firmed. Now the Pilgrim Fathers were in Leyden from 1609 
to 1620, and Thomas Parker would surely find a congenial home 
with them ; and thus Newbury and Byfield are linked in a direct 
and interesting way with the Plymouth colony. The parish 
church of St. Nicolas was over a hundred years old before Mr. 
Parker emigrated to New England, but it still stands with its 
original beauty only chastened by the gentle touch of time, and 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 23 

Its present pulpit is that of Twisse and Parker. Its register is 
perfect back to 1538, the very year when parish registers were 
first commanded to be kept in England. In the considerable 
number of such registers that I examined, I met with no other 
that ran back so far. Most of the ancient names of our New- 
bury are still found in or around the old home town, and it is 
fortunate in its accomplished historian and antiquarian, Mr. 
Walter Money. I was much indebted to his great kindness 
and courtesy. It will appear, I trust, from these brief notes that 
it was very natural that such a stronghold of Puritanism should 
have sent forth a vigorous colony to America, and that Mr. 
Parker and Mr. Noyes were its fitting leaders. 

ASHSPRINGTON. 

From Newbury I went to Ashsprington, far away in the south- 
west peninsula of England, 222 miles from London. The con- 
nection of Ashsprington with the Parsons family drew me 
thither. It is a little hamlet of four hundred people, four miles 
from Totnes in Devon. Devon is one of the most picturesque 
counties of England. Its high hills, deep valleys, and rich green 
verdure make it a charming region. The winters are very 
mild. There had been no ice in Ashsprington for six winters 
before my visit, and the camellia thrives there the year round 
in the open air. In my brief stay I noticed several interesting 
peculiarities of dialect : ' no ' was pronounced naw, ' left,' lift, and 
the cases of ' us 'and ' we' were transposed. A farmer remarked 
to me, " Us haven't had any rain for a long while." The village 
is delightfully primitive. It is hidden away in a nook among 
the hills, so that in driving out from Totnes we did not see it 
until we were just upon it. Its street is hardly more than a 
narrow lane bordered with high walls and cottages with thatched 
roofs. The little inn has but one bed for guests, and as 
that was spoken for I had the greatest difficulty in obtaining 
a lodging. I had sent back my vehicle to Totnes, so I walked 
down the very steep valley a mile farther to two other 
inns, but they were equally " full up " and I was obliged to 



24 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

climb the hill back to Ashsprington lugging my hand-bag; but 
there the postmistress had pity on me and gave me food and 
shelter. The floor of her humble but cleanly house was of 
lime and sand, hard and smooth. The church tower dates 
from the fourteenth century, and a yew of as great age shades 
the tower. At the entrance to the churchyard is a lich — that is, 
corpse — gate with a slab in the centre to rest the corpse upon. 
Lich gates are a common feature of rural churchyards in 
England, but I have nowhere else noticed the slab. The one 
at Ashsprington is in keeping with the antique simplicity of 
the hamlet. I take it that ' lich ' is connected with the German 
' leiche ' and ' leichman,' both of which mean corpse ; so the word 
reminds us that we belong to the great Teutonic stock. Almost 
all the village — houses, lands and all — is owned by one person. 
This is usual in rural England. For common people to own 
their houses seems to the mass of English people a Utopian 
dream. The ancient register is kept in a tiny damp closet in 
the church wall, and is in places almost illegible. It was the 
first time I had grappled with the strange chirography of the 
Tudor and Stuart periods, but I had others follow up the 
search, and neither they nor I found Geoffrey Parsons' baptism 
in that register. I did find other Parsons entries ; one under 
the head of burials reads as follows : " Elizabeth Daughter of 
Jeoffrey Parson Dec. 19, 1698." Professor Parsons, in his memoir 
of his father the Chief Justice, says (p. 96) that the ancestor of 
their family in America, Jeffreys Parsons, probably came from 
Devon, and there is a letter extant written by a Mrs. Elizabeth 
Parsons Morgan of Ashsprington in 17 14, whose contents show 
that there was a branch of the family established there then. 
Savage says in his genealogical register that Geoffrey (or 
Jeffrey) Parsons was born at Alplington near Exeter in 163 1. 
I shall come back to his English origin farther on in this 
chapter, but, wherever he was born, I think the evidence en- 
courages the pleasing belief that the primitive picturesque 
hamlet of Ashsprington with its ancient church and yew and 
lich gate were familiar to Jeffreys Parsons. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 25 

BISHOPSTOKE. 

My next visit was to Bishopstoke. I stopped over on my 
journey for an hour or two at Salisbury, but as I subsequently 
made a longer stay there I will defer speaking of its magnificent 
cathedral and its connection with Byfield. I visited Bishop- 
stoke because it was the birthplace of Chief Justice Sewall, and 
the home of Richard Dummer. It is in the south of England 
a little north of Southampton. I asked for a ticket to Bishop- 
stoke and received one to Eastleigh, but I understood the 
" booking " clerk, or ticket agent as we call him, to say that 
they were the same place. I alighted at Eastleigh late Satur- 
day evening and inquired for a good hotel and was directed to 
the Eastleigh Hotel, half a mile and more to the east. There 
I found very clean and comfortable quarters ; but Sunday 
morning after I had eaten breakfast I discovered that Eastleigh 
and Bishopstoke were different piaces, though contiguous, with 
one railway station ; so I took up my hand-bag and set out for 
a westerly walk of a mile and a half to Bishopstoke. After 
passing the station I followed a delightful country road between 
luxuriant pastures where herds of horses and cattle were graz- 
ing, and then I traversed a foot-path with a green hedge on one 
side and a rushing stream on the other, and presently I passed 
through an ancient churchyard with several large stones of the 
Dummer family whose inscriptions were almost illegible, and 
where a venerable yew, which I subsequently learned was 
eleven hundred years old, shielded me from the heat of the 
July sun as it had shielded thirty generations before me. Had 
it mind and tongue, what a story such a tree could tell ! And 
so I came into Bishopstoke. The parish church was well filled 
and the sermon was a good one, but the edifice was not the 
one of Dummer and Sewall. That was taken down about 1825. 
I have a pen-and-ink sketch of it which shows it to have been 
a most ancient and quaint structure, one that in these days 
would be " restored " rather than demolished. It had dormer 
windows and an entrance into the roof by an outside stairway. 
In the vestry of the present church there hangs an ancient 



26 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

document which, like some other records to which I refer in 
this book, has been already copied, but I will give a portion of 
it that it may fall under the eye of some who would not other- 
wise see it, and it deserves a wide circulation. It begins : 
"Bishop Stoke in the county of Southampton. 
" A memorial of the several Persons who have been Benefactors 
to the Poor of the Parish of Bishop Stoke whose names are 
recorded as well for the Encouragement of all other Persons 
who shall be like minded as for the Prevention of the Mis- 
application of what has been and shall be so charitably GIVEN" 
The first two mentioned in the list are Thomas Dummer and 
Richard Dummer. The entry concerning Richard Dummer 
reads as follows : " Richard Dummer likewise a parishioner 
there in the seventh year of King Charles the First did surrender 
a CLOSE of LAND called five acres to Stephen Dummer his 
brother and his heirs with condition for payment of the like 
sum of forty shillings yearly for the Use of the Poor and Needy 
inhabitants of the said Parish, etc., etc." This Stephen Dummer 
was the father of Jane who married Henry Sewall, Jr., and one 
of their children was the Chief Justice. The seventh year of 
CKarles I. would be 1632. That very year Richard Dummer 
came to Roxbury, whence he removed to Newbury in 1636. 
It is very pleasant to find him giving to his parish this gen- 
erous parting token of his affection. The gift also illustrates 
the large-hearted, open-handed character of his whole life. 

WATTON. 

My next pilgrimage was to Watton, the birthplace of Thomas 
Hale, the ancestor of the Byfield Hales. Watton is a hamlet 
of 817 people in Hertfordshire, about thirty miles northwest of 
London. I reached it by a delightful drive of five miles from 
the railway station of Hertford (local pronunciation Harvord). 
Although where there are railroads in England there are much 
more frequent trains than in America, it is remarkable that so 
many places are several miles from the nearest railroad. But 
while this increases the expense a little, it adds greatly to the 
pleasure and profit of travel. One sees the country far more 




YEW OLDER THAN THE CONQUEST (1066) ; CHURCHYARD OF 
BISHOPSTOKE, ENGLAND 




ANCIENT PARISH CHURCH, WALTON, ENGLAND 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 27 

intimately by a drive along a highway than on a train, and the 
driver's talk is apt to be well worth hearing. This was a 
characteristic drive in central England. The road was broad 
and smooth and hard, the sidewalks excellent, and the hedges 
luxuriant and well kept, and the road was bordered by rows of 
noble trees, such as the oak, the elm, and the linden. Our 
horse was a good roadster. For a long distance before reach- 
ing Watton, our course lay alongside Woodhall Park, a great 
estate of 13,000 acres, the residence of the member of parlia- 
ment for the borough, whose father had been in parliament 
before him, I was told, for forty years. Great herds of graceful 
deer were grazing in it, and majestic swans were gliding up 
and down the river that ran through it. My driver's dialect 
interested me, — as a single specimen of it, I may mention 
that to him a post was a paust. The parish church is the centre 
of every English hamlet. This one, as almost always, is very 
old. Its tower is massive and noble. It has some fine old 
brasses ; one in particular has a beautiful effigy of a knight 
in full armor with hands clasped in prayer, and bears the date 
of 1 36 1. It was pleasant to find that the Rev. Edward 
Bickersteth, the author of " Yesterday, To-day and Forever," 
was once the pastor of this parish. The tablet to his memory 
says that he is " Known, revered and loved by the servants 
of the Lord in every land." It was twilight when the young 
rector kindly went with me to search the ancient records. 
He lighted a candle, unlocked the old iron-bound oaken chest, 
which is over five hundred years old, — I think he said, — 
and took out the venerable parchment register yellowed with 
the centuries. Within ten minutes I had found and deciphered 
the record, "A Domi [Anno Domini] 1606 June 15 Thomas 
Hale y e sonne of Thomas and Jane baptized." The rector 
was astonished and I was delighted at my speedy success. 
Puritanism was in the air of England in those times, but the 
heavy hand of Laud was upon it, and when young Hale of 
Watton heard of the Puritan colony that was organizing in 
Newbury, he no doubt determined to cast in his lot with it and 
seek liberty of conscience in flight. 



28 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

DEDHAM. 

The " Chute Genealogies " says, " Lionel Chute, jun., the emi- 
grant ancestor of the family in America, was born in Dedham, 
Essex County, England, about 1580." This statement took me 
to Dedham. It is in a lovely region which is a haunt of artists. 
It has an ideal English country inn. Memories of the great 
landscape painter, John Constable, who was born in its neigh- 
borhood, fill the region. He was faithful to nature and to his 
high ideals throughout his pathetic career, although it was not 
until after his death that the rare excellence of his art was 
recognized. Such a life is full of instruction and inspiration 
for the young. John Constable, however, has no special con- 
nection with Byfield ; but another Dedham name has, and that 
is the name of John Rogers, not the martyr, but the great 
Dedham Puritan preacher from 1605 to 1636. The windows 
were taken out of the parish church so that more people might 
hear him. His rule was so to preach every time that he could 
come down from his pulpit with a clear conscience. One of his 
enemies said that his preaching poisoned the air for ten miles 
around, but a friend said that more souls were saved under his 
preaching than in any other part of England. Once, twice, 
thrice, he was silenced by the church authorities in their stick- 
ling for outward uniformity. At length the persecutions he 
suffered seemed to break his heart, and he is said to have fallen 
in his pulpit and to have been carried out but to die. His 
descendants filled the pulpit of the first church in Ipswich, 
Mass., for a hundred and fifty years, one of his grandsons was 
president of Harvard College, and his posterity is said to be 
more numerous in America than that of any other early emi- 
grant family (Stephen's " Biographical Dictionary "). This illus- 
trious Puritan preacher has a double connection with Byfield, 
for he was brought up in the family of Richard Rogers, the 
father of Ezekiel Rogers, first pastor of Rowley, one of the two 
mother parishes of Byfield, and no doubt his preaching was a 
potent factor in determining Lionel Chute to go with the 
Puritan colony beyond the sea. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 29 

WETHERSFIELD. 

My next visit was to Wethersfield, the home of Richard 
Rogers, the father of Ezekiel Rogers and the foster-father of 
John Rogers. Wethersfield, like Dedham, is in Essex, and 
like Dedham and Watton, it lies off from the railroad. One 
must drive nine miles from the station to reach it. I struck 
" bank holiday " that day, and conveyances were in great 
demand and expensive, but my drive was delightful. I passed 
some characteristic English sights, such as a great pack of 
hounds numbering perhaps a hundred, with huntsmen gay with 
buff and scarlet liveries, and a farmer with a large flock of 
sheep, he in front in his cart, and his dog in the rear keeping 
all the flock in their place. My driver was a master of the 
reins and had the bearing of a duke, but from his questions 
when we came to guide-boards, I inferred that a knowledge of 
letters was not one of his accomplishments. I found Wethers- 
field a delightfully primitive little hamlet abounding in babies, 
with here and there a windmill and a great tree, an oak I think 
it was, on the grassy little green in the centre of the hamlet, 
and a flock of sheep enjoying its shade. The good vicar was 
away like almost everybody else on the holiday, and his wife 
seemed at first shy of me as a sort of transatlantic tramp, but 
when she was convinced that I was not a fraud, she became 
very communicative and followed me to the church, telling me 
all she knew and deeply lamenting the absence of the vicar 
with the keys to the church treasures. One of its possessions 
is, it. seems, an ancient black-letter Bible which used to be 
chained in the church, where all might come and read. The 
Wethersfield church was one of the most ancient in appearance 
that I saw in England. It is built of flint stones, some of them 
not larger than hens' eggs. Richard Rogers, like John, was, 
strictly speaking, a lecturer, that is, not the regularly appointed 
minister of the parish supported by the compulsory tithes, but 
one selected by the people and paid by voluntary contributions. 
The parish clergymen even after the Reformation were not as a 
rule earnest preachers, and so their Puritan parishioners, in 



30 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

many instances, voluntarily taxed themselves additionally to 
secure pious, learned, and whole-hearted preachers. These 
were termed lecturers, and their sermons were called lectures. 
They were apt to find their path a thorny one. Richard 
Rogers, like John, felt the heavy hand of ecclesiastical tyranny. 
He was a voluminous writer. I found six of his works in the 
British Museum varying in size from the elegant little book for 
the pocket, with bordered pages, up to the folio, and more than 
one of them had reached a fifth edition. His daily life of 
goodness and piety won for him the title of " the Enoch of his 
day." His portrait, full of fatherly benignity, is honored by a 
place in the long row of Puritan worthies that adorn the walls 
of the library of Mansfield College in Oxford. Mrs. Rogers 
was a woman of rare attractiveness of character, of whom it 
would be a pleasure to speak at length. It was in this ancient 
church and this primitive hamlet and this godly ministerial 
home that Ezekiel Rogers was trained to be the founder of the 
first Church of Christ in Rowley. 

BURY ST. EDMUNDS. 

Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk was the next place connected 
with Byfield that I visited. It formerly contained a shrine of 
world-wide fame — that of St. Edmund, the old Saxon king who 
was foully murdered by the Danes in 870, and in whose memory 
Canute after his conversion built there a vast and splendid 
monastery. Bury St. Edmunds was the home of Edmond 
Moody in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1524 the young king 
was hunting, with Edmond Moody for an attendant. The king 
had let loose his falcon and rushed after it with a stout pole ; a 
ditch crossed his path and he attempted to leap it by vaulting ; 
the pole broke and the king fell into the mire and water face 
downward, where he would have drowned had not Moody 
lifted him out. For this act he was knighted, and took for 
his arms two hands holding up a Tudor rose, a fitting memorial 
of the rescue of the great Tudor king by his hands. This has 
been the heraldry of the Moody family ever since, and many a 
time have their arms, stanch and true, succored a worthy cause. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 3 1 

DUMMER. 

On my way from London to Southampton to take a steamer 
for the continent, I stopped at Basingstoke and drove out five 
miles to Dummer, the ancient seat of the Dummer family, of 
which we found a branch at Bishopstoke. Dummer is fifty 
miles southwest of London. Two things I recall of my drive ; 
one was the moderation of our horse, whose speed my driver 
sought to increase by a lavish use of the whip, but with little 
effect; this was especially trying in a chilly rain with an open 
dog-cart; a more pleasant memory is that of the magnificent 
trees that grew here and there on top of the mounds or dikes 
which served for fences along the highway. The settlement of 
Dummer is one of immemorial antiquity. Before the Norman or 
the Saxon or the Roman had set foot in Britain, the Celt had 
his home in Dummer, and reverently deposited the ashes of his 
dead in rude urns which are from time to time uncovered in our 
own day. The little church had the most venerable look of 
any that I visited in England. The walls curiously contracted 
in thickness on the inside toward the top, so that the space 
within was decidedly broader at the top than at the bottom. 
The pillars in the walls were great unhewn oaken trunks, from 
which only the bark had been removed. The church contains 
a beautiful brass of "William atmore als dommer" [Dummer], 
who was born Feb. 13, 1508, but the date of his death is lack- 
ing, probably because he set up the memorial of himself and 
his family during his life, and his survivors neglected to fill in 
the blank. The Dummers of Dummer appear to have been 
wealthy, for they owned land in the city of Winchester, perhaps 
fifteen miles away. Most of the rural parish clergymen whom 
I had thus far visited in the homes of our forefathers seemed 
to have a generous support, but I twice found in the parsonage 
tokens of straitened circumstances, — in one instance, I fear, 
even of poverty. 



32 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 



DOL. 



I traced but one of our families back to the continent, from 
which of course they all originally came, only taking in England 
on their way, though they made a long stop there. I visited 
Dol in Brittany, which is the westernmost province of France, 
because Coffin says that it was the seat of the Dole family before 
the Normans conquered England in the eleventh century. The 
connection of the family with the town has been disputed; 
but my Dol trip was unique, and I will venture to give it. 
My voyage from Southampton down to St. Malo was exceed- 
ingly disagreeable. It was a chilly, boisterous drizzly night, 
the little boat was " full up " with passengers, there were 
no state-rooms, no sheets on the beds, and but scant separa- 
tion between the quarters of the men and those of the 
women, and there was plenty of sea-sickness, — there was only 
one redeeming feature, the boat was a swift one, — but all 
my memories of Dol are bright with sunshine and pleasure. 
The old cathedral vast and gray is said to be forty feet longer 
than Westminster Abbey, while not far from it I noticed one of 
the huge piles of brush-wood fuel much loftier than the neigh- 
boring house-tops — a characteristic feature of Brittany; so 
near is the commonplace to the sublime. From Dol I took a 
delightful walk out to a menhir a mile and a half from the town. 
A menhir is a solitary upright stone erected by an ancient 
people. There are some sixteen hundred of them in France, 
this being one of the ten noblest specimens. I judged it to be 
thirty feet high. Like the urns of Dummer it is attributed to 
the Celts, and was doubtless erected for some religious or com- 
memorative purpose. The use of such memorial pillars is very 
wide-spread and ancient. In the Bible, for instance, we find 
Jacob and Samuel setting them up. Dol is full of history. One 
item is that here William the Conqueror was conquered and de- 
spoiled in battle shortly before his death ; but the grim old war- 
rior gracefully bowed to his fate and gave his daughter to the 
one who had vanquished him. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 33 

EWELL. 

After my return from the continent to England, and on my 
last day in London, when I had finished my packing and shop- 
ping, at a quarter past three in the afternoon, I broke away from 
the endless grime and din of the world's metropolis and took a 
little run out into the green fields of Surrey as far as Ewell, 
seventeen miles to the south of the city. So far as I know 
at present, this is the original home of the Ewell family in 
England, although there are none of the name there now. 
From its nearness to the capital it is full of beautiful country- 
seats. In the churchyard there is an ancient church-tower 
thickly mantled with ivy and very picturesque ; opposite the 
churchyard is Ewell Castle, at present the home of the Gads- 
dens, represented in America by the historic family of that 
name in Summerville, S. C. The lady of the castle very politely 
showed me through it and its spacious grounds. To the rear is 
the site of Henry the Eighth's magnificent palace of Nonesuch, 
and there hangs in the hallway of the castle a drawing of the 
palace showing its great extent and splendor. 

CHOLDERTON. 

The next morning with many a fond regret, I bade good-bye 
to dear old London, to which I have become warmly attached 
by successive visits during more than thirty years. I have al- 
ways made it my headquarters when abroad, and have found in 
it not only an endless wealth of art and history, but also true 
friends and honest tradesmen. On my somewhat roundabout 
journey from London to Liverpool, I visited a number of Byfield 
shrines. At about noon that day I left the train at Grately, a 
little station near Salisbury. From Grately, I proposed to walk 
three miles to Cholderton, the English home of our Byfield 
Noyes family. I tried to get a hearty lunch at the station inn 
before taking my walk, but it could offer me no meat but cold 
boiled salt pork, though it had abundance of drinks, which men 
and women were liberally patronizing; so I contented myself 

3 



34 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

with " light refreshments." On my walk broad rolling fields 
stretched away on either side dotted with great flocks of sheep. 
Cholderton, like many another English hamlet, nestles in a val- 
ley, so that you do not see it until close upon it. The name has 
been spelled in twelve different ways. The green valley of a 
winter stream which is dry in summer, with its numerous little 
rustic bridges, adds to the picturesqueness of the place. The 
parish only numbers a little over one hundred and fifty people; 
but two of its rectors have become bishops. The rectory is 
roomy and homelike, with an ancient warming-pan hanging in 
the hall-way — typical of warm hospitality. On that day the 
stranger from across the sea was entertained in the rectory li- 
brary with the cup of tea and buttered slices of bread so char- 
acteristic of an English welcome and so acceptable to a dusty 
foot-traveller. The rectory grounds abounded in beautiful beds 
of flowers, and the little church is rich in pictured windows. 
The long list of rectors stretches back to 1297, of whom two in 
the seventeenth century were named Noyes, and the first of 
these was the father of our Newbury emigrants, the Rev. James 
and his brother Nicholas. There could hardly be a more pleas- 
ant setting for the memory of these men than Cholderton with 
its hospitable rectory and beautiful church. 

SALISBURY. 

That night I spent at Salisbury. The place had a double 
attraction for me : its cathedral, and the founder of the cathedral, 
Bishop Richard Poore. He laid the solid foundations in 1220, 
and the structure was completed according to his plans in 1258. 
Each English cathedral has its own peculiar charms. Those 
of Salisbury are very great. It stands in a " close " of half a 
square mile ; this enables its beauty and grandeur to be seen 
to great advantage. Built on a single plan and in a com- 
paratively short time, its architecture has unrivalled unity; 
and then there is its stone spire, the first of that material, it is 
said, that was erected in England, and it is so slender, so richly 
carved, and so lofty, — the tallest spire in England, four hun- 




KEMERTON MANOR HOUSE, ENGLAND 
Dating from about 1500 




CHOLDERTON, ENGLAND, HOME OF THE NOYES FAMILY 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 35 

dred and four feet high. I visited the cathedral by starlight 
and lingered in contemplation, loath to leave such a "poem in 
stone/' — and the world owes this majestic temple to the genius 
and piety of a Poor ! 

KEMERTON. 

The next visit of which I will speak, and the last connected 
with Byfield that I made on my way to Liverpool, was to 
Kemerton in the north of Gloucestershire and the west of Eng- 
land. I went there because it is an ancient seat of the Parsons 
family. As usual it lay off from the railroad, and the walk to it 
was delightful until a hard rain beat down upon me; but one 
of the things to be thankful for in my journeyings was that so 
far as I recall I was in no case prevented or hindered by sick- 
ness, accident, or weather. The ancestral manor-house was in 
true English fashion hidden from the road by a high wall, but 
as I passed through the gate and up the winding avenue, a 
broad and noble mansion was disclosed nearly covered with 
luxuriant ivy. Some four centuries have passed over its roof 
and some twelve generations have gone in and out over its 
threshold, but for aught one can see it may greet as many more 
centuries and shelter as many more generations. The name of 
the family is now Hopton, but it should be Parsons by right of 
descent. They took the name of Hopton in 18 17 on succeed- 
ing to the Hopton estates. 

The Parsons family has long been noted in England. I 
counted more than thirty of the name in Burke's " Landed Gen- 
try." One was Earl of Rosse in the eighteenth century. Was 
our American emigrant one of the Kemerton family? In all 
probability. It will be remembered that his baptism could not be 
found in the Ashsprington record. Professor Parsons says in his 
life of the Chief Justice (page 6) " . . . perhaps about 1645 Jef- 
frey (or Geoffrey) Parsons sailed' from England for the West 
Indies. He was then very young. He remained at Barbadoes 
with an uncle some years and then came to Gloucester on Cape 
Ann about 1654." Burke says (" Landed Gentry," page 1006), 
" The family of Parsons has been long settled in the island of 



36 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Barbadoes, where one of the original settlements was called after 
it and retains its name to the present time." Miss Winifred A. 
Hopton of Kemerton writes me : " We find the following entry 
in the church register, ' 1627 Godfrey the sonne of John Par- 
sons of Kemerton and Alice his wife was baptized . . . Novem- 
ber.' " Now Jeffrey, Geoffrey, and Godfrey are only different 
spellings of the same name. Jeffrey is the English, Geoffrey 
the French, and Godfrey is English for the German Gottfried, 
which means peace of God. We therefore conclude that Jeffrey 
or Geoffrey or Godfrey Parsons may have been baptized in the 
ancient church of his ancestors in Kemerton and have gone 
from there to Ashsprington where I found evidence of the 
presence of members of the Parsons family, and thence to 
Barbadoes, and ultimately to Gloucester in Massachusetts. 
I had received a cordial invitation to visit the manor house, 
and I lunched there with great pleasure. The lady of the 
house is a widow; her husband, Capt. Charles Edward Hopton, 
was an officer in the Crimean War. She has four sons and 
three daughters. I do not remember the calling of all her 
sons. One, I think, is a clergyman. The family is a worthy 
example of the English country gentry and a worthy repre- 
sentative of the ancient Parsons stock. The fact that such 
a family retains its home in a little hamlet like Kemerton is 
typical of our English cousins. The word 'manor' comes 
from the Latin maneo, which means to remain or stay, and the 
English gentry love to stay in the country. They visit much in 
the metropolis and abroad, — one of the Hopton young ladies 
was just home from Paris, — but their choice for a manor or 
remaining-place is the country. They are great lovers of the 
open air. Even in-doors they want as much out-of-door air as 
possible. The sister of the young rector of Ashsprington re- 
marked to me laughingly, " We English people are horrid for 
drafts; " and many an American would think so, but their love 
of the country and the open air does great things for their 
health and vigor. 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 37 

ROWLEY. 

What Newbury, England, is to our Newbury, that Rowley, 
England, is to our Rowley and even more, for while only a 
curate led the Newbury colony, the rector himself came with 
those from Rowley, and he was followed by a far larger pro- 
portion of his flock. There are five Rowleys in England. 
Our English Rowley is near Hull. I went directly from Liver- 
pool across to Hull, one hundred and nineteen and a half miles. 
The scenery was in marked contrast to the garden-like counties 
of southern England. The train went through many a tunnel 
and many a great manufacturing town grimy with soot and dim 
with vast clouds of smoke. At Manchester, for instance, at 
half-past two in the afternoon, though it did not rain, it seemed 
like twilight from the smoke. We also threaded many a steep, 
narrow, rugged valley, but at length when we drew near to the 
east coast, we came into a flat, low country diked like Holland, to 
which it looks out across the North Sea. I spent the night at 
Hull in a clean and pleasant hotel with excellent food. It was 
a temperance house, and I usually stopped at such, but I could 
not in all cases recommend them so heartily. The next morn- 
ing I went out on the Hull and Barnsby railroad a twenty-one- 
minute ride to Little Weighton (formerly written and still 
pronounced Weeton), and from there a short mile's walk 
brought me to the gate of the Rowley rectory grounds. The 
land is high and rolling with broad views, great flocks of sheep 
and herds of cattle and horses were grazing in the pastures, the 
hawthorn hedges had already begun to take on autumnal tints, 
although it was but the tenth of September, and here and there 
a lingering songster of summer regaled me with its carol. The 
rectory and the church stand near each other in the broad 
rectory acres, but there is not another building to be seen for 
a long distance. When Mr. Rogers came to America all his 
immediate neighbors are said to have come with their pastor, 
and their humble cottages, left tenantless, decayed and fell to 
the ground ; occasionally to this day one comes upon a brick 
or some trace of a cellar where there was once a house. Hence 



3§ THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the church and rectory stand in solitude. The " New England 
Magazine " for Sept. 1899 contained an article by me on Mr. 
Rogers, and I will not repeat much of what I there said. He 
was an able and faithful preacher, whom the people flocked 
to hear from all the neighboring region, but, to quote his own 
words, " for refusing to read that accursed book that allowed 
sports on God's holy Sabbath or Lord's Day, I was suspended, 
and became one of God's poor exiles." On my former visit to 
Rowley in 1895, Rev. H. C. T. Hildyard was rector. He was 
then over threescore and ten, and had been in charge of the 
parish for forty-five years. He was tall and still erect and 
ruddy, a noble specimen of the English country gentleman and 
clergyman. Three years later he passed away; in 1901 I was 
entertained by the new rector, Rev. Robert Hildyard, the 
nephew of his predecessor and a scholarly and faithful pastor. 
It may be worth mentioning, as showing one point of difference 
between the average English clerical home and those of the 
United States, that as I sat down to lunch my hospitable host 
said, "Now, Mr. Ewell, what will you have to drink, — cider, 
claret, whiskey, or beer?" I think he proffered me a wider 
range of choice, but I only definitely remember the four that I 
have mentioned. The Hildyard family has been in the region 
since 11 10 and has held the Rowley livery since 1704. Gen. 
Hildyard of South African fame is an uncle of the present 
rector. The part of the rectory farthest from the church is as 
old as Mr. Rogers' day, and I was shown an elegant silver 
flagon — an heirloom of the rectory — bearing the date of 
1634; so that would be a memento of Mr. Rogers. I suppose it 
to have been used in the communion service. The church 
bears the name of St. Peter, and was already venerable with a 
history of three centuries when from its pulpit Ezekiel Rogers 
commended himself " to every man's conscience in the sight of 
God." Within on the right is a beautifully carved lectern or 
reading-desk, the work of the late rector's own artistic hand ; on 
the opposite side are a new pulpit, and in the rear new choir 
" stalls " or seats. The pulpit bears the inscription : 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 39 

To the Glory of God, 

and 

In memory of the 

Rev. Henry C. T. Hildyard 

Rector of Rowley, 

The pulpit and choir stalls 

Were placed in this Church 

by Relatives, Parishioners 

and Friends. 

July 20, 1900. 

Among the "Friends" who contributed, our Rowley and Byfield 
were represented. 

What ancestors of Byfield families came from Rowley, Eng- 
land? Mr. Rogers' colony numbered "about sixty families;" 
of these " about twenty families " came over with Mr. Rogers, 
while the others joined him between his arrival here and the 
settlement of our Rowley. The Rowley, England, parish regis- 
ter will not help us very much, for it only runs back to 1653. 
Mr. Rogers' leaving would seem to have brought the parish life 
almost to a standstill, so that it began anew, as far as records 
go, fifteen years later. Mr. Gage gives (Hist. Rowley, p. 132) a 
list of seventeen families that probably were of the twenty that 
came with Mr. Rogers ; of these, Jewett, Nelson, and Tenney, at 
least, are Byfield names, and the Spofford family has been largely 
represented in the parish, and no doubt a large proportion of 
the others became by marriage ancestors of our Byfield people. 
Mr. Blodgette believes the Tenneys to have come from Rowley. 
It is certain that the Northends, though not in Mr. Gage's list 
of seventeen, were from Rowley. One entry in the Rowley 
register reads: " 1657, Jeremiah Northend of Little Weeton [a 
part of the parish] gent aged thirty years, mindeth to take to 
wife Mrs [not necessarily a widow, mistress was then a title of 
rank corresponding to gentleman] Mary [following word illeg- 
ible] " Another entry is " Mr. Jeremiah Northend dyed Apr. 
11, 1702. He went with Mr. Rogers to America when about 
twelve years old and staid there about nine years." This 
Jeremiah was cousin to Ezekiel Northend, who also came with 



40 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Mr. Rogers and who was the ancestor of our Byfield Northend 
family. The Northends were large land owners in Rowley and 
its vicinity and lords of the manor of Little Weeton and Huns- 
ley, in Rowley parish. Hunslow Hill in our Rowley was prob- 
ably named by the Northends in fond recollection of their 
ancestral manor house. I presume a careful examination of 
the registers of neighboring parishes would bring to light the 
homes of others of Mr. Rogers' company, though most of them 
were probably entered in the lost records of Rowley itself. 
So the pleasant and ancient parish of Rowley shares with New- 
bury the honor of being above all other English localities one of 
the two cradles of our composite Byfield stock. 



BRADFORD. 

My last filial visit was to Bradford. I went there because it 
is thought to have been the home of our Jewetts and Brockle- 
banks, although the American home of the latter family only 
came within Byfield bounds down to 1 73 r , when the second 
parish in Rowley, as I have already said, was set off. Prob- 
ably a number of Rowley's settlers were from Bradford, else 
they would hardly have given the name Bradford to one of 
their two streets, and to the fair daughter settlement on the 
Merrimac. Bradford is in the southwest of Yorkshire. It is 
an exceedingly black manufacturing town of 291,535 people. 
The soot is so pervasive and insinuating that even the young 
girls who are clerks in stores can hardly keep their hands clean. 
But Bradford has something to show for its grime, for it is the 
metropolis of the worsted industries, and has the largest silk 
and velvet manufactures in the world. It is in a densely popu- 
lated region. Leeds, another black town, with 400,000 people, 
is only nine miles away. Between Leeds and Bradford, I passed 
through a station marked Horsforth. The thought instantly 
occurred to me, Horsforth was the English home of the Long- 
fellow family. I regretted exceedingly that I could not stop 
over and pay my respects to the place associated with one of 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 41 

the most honored and dearest names not only of Byfield but 
of America, but my steamer was to sail in less than three days, 
and the flight of time was inexorable. The growth of Bradford 
has been remarkable. It had but 2,000 people when Ezekiel 
Rogers emigrated, and only 13,000 in 1800. The introduction 
of steam power gave it its wonderful impetus. Its noble parish 
church of St. Peter's is 450 years old ; and the church tower 
still bears the marks of cannonading during the Cromwellian 
wars. The interior is very interesting, particularly a great 
window with four sections in honor of four English saints. I 
cannot forbear to give several of the quotations from those thus 
honored, inscribed beneath their portraits in the window. 
Under Aiden is written, " If thy love, O my Saviour, is offered 
to this people, many hearts will be touched. I will go and 
make thee known." Under Bede, " No man thinketh more 
than need be ere he go hence, what to his soul of good or of 
ill doomed shall be." And under Wilfred, " So teach the 
young, that whether their after lot shall be to serve God in the 
holy office or to serve the king in council or in arms, they may 
be found fit." 

The name of Jewett occurs frequently in the records of the 
time of the Rowley emigration, also Jowett and Jewitt, which are 
probably only variations of spelling. Brocklebank does not 
occur, but Brooksbank does repeatedly, which may possibly be 
the same name. In the current Bradford directory there is one 
Jewett, and he is put down as a blacksmith. It will be recalled 
that three generations at least of the Warren Street Jewetts 
were blacksmiths, Maximilian, David, and David's son, Maxi- 
milian. The old Rowley names are very common both in the 
parish register and the directory. From the former I copied 
Wood, Dickinson, Hopkinson (with various spelling), Pearson, 
Pickard, Northend, Todd, Smith, Browne, Nelson, Barker, 
Bailey, Proctor, and Jackson, and in the directory I found 
nearly two columns of those named Barker, three of them put 
down as gentlemen, eighteen named Boyes, nine named 
Brockebank, four named Carlton, one Chaplin, thirty-four 
named Lambert, three of them gentlemen, eighteen named 



4- THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Nelson, two named Palmer, ten named Parratt, and twenty- 
seven named Hopkinson, of whom one is put down as 
gentleman. As far as names go, Rowley might have been 
almost a colony from the English Bradford, and certainly the 
honest industry and triumphant enterprise of the great York- 
shire manufacturing town make it something to be proud of 
that we of Byfield may claim so near a kinship to it. I left 
Bradford Thursday, Sept. 12, and sailed Saturday, Sept. 14 — 
a sad day in American history ; but its grief had some com- 
pensation in the revelation that blood is not only thicker than 
water, but that kindred blood beats responsive though separated 
by the water of the broad Atlantic. The news that President 
McKinley was dead was received in Liverpool at about 9 A. M., 
and before noon flags were flying everywhere at half mast. I 
should be very thankful, if at some future day I might prose- 
cute these filial pilgrimages farther, and I present my sincere 
regrets to all our good people of Byfield, and of Byfield stock, 
whose ancestral homes across the sea I have not thus far been 
able to visit, or in some cases, as that of the Pearson family, 
even to locate. 



THE CAUSE OF THE EMIGRATION. 

Most of our ancestors came, as has appeared in this chapter, 
from small country places, and probably most of them were 
farmers ; so that by heredity we ought to have a kindly appre- 
ciation of the soil and of husbandry. The civilization of Eng- 
land was much inferior then to its present condition, and the 
comforts of life were fewer, but they had much to leave, — houses 
and highways, books, schools, and church edifices, and the 
tender ties of kindred and neighborhood, — and they came forth 
into the primeval wilderness where there was neither house nor 
building of any kind nor highway, but the vast forest tenanted 
by the wild beast and the savage. In coming they hoped, I 
suppose, to improve their pecuniary condition if they could 
survive the hardships and perils, but the mighty force that 
impelled them was a religious one. Archbishop Laud was bent 



ANCESTRAL HOMES BEYOND THE SEA. 43 

on enforcing religious uniformity, gospel preaching was perse- 
cuted, clergymen were required to read from the pulpit a 
proclamation enjoining a Sunday afternoon of gay sports, and 
at every point there was pressure to return in a large measure 
to the ceremonies of the Church of Rome. Milton's " Lycidas " 
has a noble passage in which he depicts the mercenary spirit 
of those with whom Laud was filling the pulpits, where — 

The hungry sheep look up and are not fed. 

Neither was there any peace for those who withdrew from the 
Established Church and sought to worship God according to 
their convictions. All public worship throughout the kingdom 
must conform to Laud's ritual. So grievous was the oppression 
that George Herbert, than whom never soul loved the Estab- 
lished Church of England more passionately, wrote: 

Religion stands on tip-toe in our land, 
Ready to pass to the \merican strand. 

In the year 1640 the pressure began to relax, and the tide of 
emigration ebbed, but before that the fathers of Newbury and 
of Rowley, and so of Byfield, had fled from the storm. 

It may seem strange, considering that our fathers were 
Puritans or Separatists, that I have given so much attention to 
the parish churches, connected as they are with the establish- 
ment that drove them out, and have said nothing of the non- 
conformists, who are of the same spiritual lineage with them. 
This implies no lack of appreciation of the history and spirit 
of -the English dissenters, but it was the parish churches to 
which our fathers belonged, and from which they came out, 
and where alone the records of them are to be found. I am 
glad to add that no memory of the past should occasion any 
bitterness toward the Anglican Church of to-day. There is in 
England now absolute religious liberty, and I everywhere met, 
on the part of clergymen, officers, and people of the Church, as 
it is called, the most cordial reception and hearty co-operation 
and a generous admiration of the Christian heroism of the 
founders of New England. 



44 THE STORY OF BYFJELD. 

No chapter of this history has cost the author so much time, 
labor, and expense as this, but none has afforded him more 
pleasure, and he will feel doubly repaid if it shall strengthen 
the appreciation of our emigrant ancestors and of the mother 
country. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 

Special Authorities : Records and documents in the Salem Probate Office, 
Winthrop's History of New England, Sewall's Diary and Letter-Book, Johnson's 
Wonder- Working Providence, and Mather's " Magnalia." 

BEGINNINGS. 

ALL through this history it is often difficult to determine 
who belonged to Ryfield, because people are usually 
mentioned simply as citizens of their respective towns. When 
Mr. Smith, for instance, is said to reside in Newbury, it remains 
to be determined whether or not his home was in the Byfield 
part of Newbury, and the problem is particularly difficult in 
the earliest period, when there was no organized Byfield with 
its records. 

The Newbury people came first. Governor Winthrop tells 
us of the arrival of the "Whale," May 26, 1632, after a pros- 
perous voyage of forty-eight days. She brought about thirty 
passengers, all in good health, and sixty-eight cows, having lost 
two cows on the voyage. One of her passengers was Richard 
Dummer, of Bishopstoke, a name ever to be cherished with 
honor, not only by Byfield but by our whole country, alike for 
his own worth and that of his posterity. I suppose most of 
the cows belonged to him. Two years later, Henry Sewall, Jr., 
father of the Chief-Justice, and ancestor of many other noble 
souls, landed from the " Elizabeth and Dorcas." Her voyage 
had been a sad contrast to that of the " Whale," for in it sixty 
of her passengers had died. Mr. Sewall also brought " much 
cattle" with him. The following year, — that is, in 1635, — a 
little company of perhaps fifty people, who had been collecting 
at Ipswich, made their way from there through Plum Island 
Sound and up the Parker to near where Oldtown bridge is 
now, and there landed, and on a Lord's Day, probably in June, 



4& THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Mr. Parker, in the open air, " under the branches of a majestic 
oak," preached his first sermon in Newbury, and a church was 
organized, with Mr. Parker for pastor and Mr. James Noyes for 
teacher, and so in blended piety and beauty the life of our New 
England Newbury began. Four years later, that is, in 1639, 
Mr. Rogers and his company of twenty Yorkshire families, 
who, like their Newbury friends had already spent a winter 
this side the water, and who had grown by accessions to sixty 
families, began at Rowley their conflict with the stubborn wil- 
derness ; but the wilderness, despite its fierce tenants, was more 
acceptable to them than the tyranny at home, for it afforded 
them " freedom to worship God." 

Almost from the first, the settlers began to make their way 
westward into the forest. The falls of the Parker were very 
attractive. Even the Indian had appreciated them, and had 
derived his name for the river from them, and called it Quas- 
cacunquen, which means " falls." Another attractive point was 
where the Glen Mills are now, on Mill River; and still another 
was the rich lands on the Merrimack, in what is now Bradford 
and Groveland. The far-sighted Mr. Rogers had demanded and 
secured these lands as part of the Rowley grant. To go in- 
land, they would first of all make large use of the waterways 
of the Parker, Rowley River, and Mill River, as the Indian had 
before them, although they would instantly improve upon the 
canoe that he had made by toilsomely hollowing out a great 
log with his stone axes, for they would build the little dory and 
hoist upon it the sail. By land they would follow the Indian's 
simple trail, and like him go up the streams to where they were 
fordable. These enterprising pioneers would strike out into the 
forest and seize points like those I have mentioned, and rely 
upon the trail or the stream to connect them with the main 
settlement until a road could be made. As a mill was erected 
in 1636 at the falls of the Parker, which we will henceforth for 
convenience, and following the ancient custom, term " the 
Falls," probably the first road into the interior that struck 
Byfield would be north of the Parker and across Cart Creek to 
the Falls. Seven years later, John Pearson built a fulling-mill 



THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 47 

near the site of the present Glen Mills. That would no doubt 
very soon result in a road from Rowley to that point. As early 
as 1654, Thurlow's Bridge was built. This was a great step for- 
ward in lines of communication, and a notable event. Mr. Cur- 
rier tells us, in his "Ould Newbury," that this bridge stands third 
in the list of " bridges in continuous use in New England for two 
and a half centuries." Mr. Little says, in his " Outside View," 
that it was thrown across the river as far down as logs could 
reach across. Even after the bridge was built, it was no easy 
matter to make a good road from Thurlow's Bridge across the 
marsh to Rowley. The Newbury records for some years show 
the difficulty of the undertaking. But it was accomplished, and 
thereafter until 1758, when Parker River Bridge was built, that 
is, for a century, the great highway from Boston to Portsmouth 
and the east ran through Byfield. So it was the great good for- 
tune of Byfield almost from the beginning to feel the pulse-beats 
of the outer world. The " path," which went ahead of the high- 
way, would serve for the horseman, and after a fashion gradually 
for the rude cart and even better vehicles. It was not until 
1662, or thirteen years after Bradford began to be settled, that 
a road was laid out to connect it with Rowley, and it was six 
years later still before it had one to Newbury. The Long Hill 
house was built in 1700, but there was only a path over Long 
Hill until 1 713. We owe a great debt to our fathers for the 
toil and expense which it cost them to bequeath to us our 
roads. It was not the work of a year nor of a generation to 
bridge the streams, and fiil the swamps and marshes, and blast 
out the rocks, and shave off the crests of the hills, and put on 
the gravel, so as to afford our present commodious roads, and 
each generation can best show its gratitude for them by leaving 
to its successors better highways than it inherited. 

RICHARD DUMMER. 

Richard Dummer, who has already been repeatedly mentioned 
in these pages, was the most prominent of the first settlers of 
Byfield. He was, perhaps, the richest man in the colony. His 
broad lands are said to have stretched on the south side of the 



48 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

Parker from Oyster Point to Wheeler's Brook, and to have 
comprised a thousand and eighty acres. His herds were so 
numerous and so aggressive that in 1660 Rowley voted to put 
up "a substantial and strong three-railed fence . . . between 
Newbury and Rowley, to prevent cattle coming from Mr. 
Dummer's farm." His " mansion," as it was termed, appears 
from an ancient deed to have been on Fatherland Farm. Only 
one year after Newbury was settled, this energetic man, who 
had already done a similar thing at Roxbury, with the co-opera- 
tion of a Mr. Spencer, erected, as has been said, a mill at the 
Falls. Then for the first time the waters of the Parker were 
troubled by artificial barriers and machinery, but from that day 
to this they have been compelled by the dam and the wheel to 
lighten human toil and augment human comfort. This mill 
appears to have been at first a saw-mill, — a most welcome 
addition to the resources of the colonists : something beside 
hewn logs would now begin to appear in their buildings. In 
1638 we find the town entering into a certain contract with the 
owner, " in case Mr. Dummer doe make his mill fitt to grynd 
corne." The grist-mill would be as great a boon as the saw- 
mill. Before that, all the grain used in the family must be 
pounded with pestle and mortar after the Indian fashion. The 
late Mrs. Benjamin Winter, of Georgetown, had such a pestle 
and mortar, an heirloom of primitive toil and simplicity, handed 
down in the Spofford family. 

It is noticeable that while Messrs. Dummer and Spencer built 
the mill in 1636, Mr. Dummer appears as the sole owner in 
1638. The reason introduces us to perhaps the greatest reli- 
gious convulsion in the history of Massachusetts. Mrs. Ann 
Hutchinson had followed her beloved pastor, John Cotton, from 
old Boston in England to its infant namesake on the Charles in 
1634. Soon after her arrival she began to proclaim her peculiar 
views. She seems to have been a worthy woman of rare gifts 
and charms, but somewhat inclined to mysticism and religious 
subtleties, and withal a little censorious toward the ministers. 
Many leading colonists were captivated with her suggestions. 
Rev. Mr. Cotton himself accorded them a lar^e measure of 



THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 49 

indulgence and approval. Mr. Dummer and Mr. Spencer both 
espoused her cause. Probably Mrs. Dummer led the way for 
her husband in accepting Mrs. Hutchinson's views, for John 
Eliot says of her that she was " a Godly woman," but " was led 
away into the new opinions in Mrs. Hutchinson's time." The 
conservative party triumphed under the lead of Governor Win- 
throp, and the adherents of Mrs. Hutchinson were condemned 
and disarmed, including Mr. Dummer and Mr. Spencer. Both 
Dummer and Spencer returned to England, perhaps in disgust, 
but the former shortly came back. In 1640, when the Governor 
was embarrassed through the dishonesty of his steward, " and the 
various towns sent in a contribution of 500 pounds, Mr. Dummer 
in a more private way, with unequalled liberality, sent him 100 
pounds" (Allen, " Biog. Diet."). This was more than the whole 
tax of Newbury and half the contribution of all Boston. Such 
an act was not merely generous, — it has the added perfume of 
a beautiful magnanimity. Byfield was a great gainer from the 
severity of the colonial government toward Mr. Dummer, for 
that appears to have led him to make the Falls, where he 
already had so large an estate, his home (Eliot, " Biog. Diet."). 
Mr. Dummer seems to have been an enthusiastic promoter of 
fruit culture. When I was a school-boy at Dummer Academy, 
in the fifties, there stood in front of the mansion-house a straight 
and lofty mulberry tree, whose fruit used to be the delight of 
the students. That and some of the old apple-trees on the 
farm were thought to have been planted by him some two hun- 
dred years before. 

Mr. Dummer became involved in a most unfortunate and 
protracted controversy with his pastor, Mr. Parker. At least 
as early as 1643, Governor Winthrop speaks of the Presbyterian 
church government of Newbury. Johnson's " Wonder- Working 
Providence," which appeared in 1654, says, " The teaching 
elders in this place [Newbury] have carried it very lovingly 
toward their people, permitting them to assist in admitting of 
persons into church society, and in church censures, so long as 
they act regularly, but in case of maladministration they assume 
the power wholly to themselves." Dr. Dexter calls Mr. Parker 

4 



50 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

and Mr. Noyes "par nobile fratrum " (noble pair of brothers), 
but this was not Congregationalism, and as early as 1645 their 
arrogation of power had begun to agitate the little settlement. 
Forty consecutive large octavo pages in Coffin's history are 
mostly filled with a narrative of the contest, and nearly all is in 
small type, besides briefer notices of its progress in other parts 
of the book. The conflict culminated in 1670, when the breach 
between the pastor and his party, and those who stood fast in 
the old Congregational paths, had been deepening and broaden- 
ing for at least twenty-five years. In that year a paper was 
presented to Mr. Parker signed by Richard Dummer and 
Richard Thorla, Mr. Dummer's neighbor, in behalf of what 
claimed to be the majority of the church, deposing him from 
the pastorate " until," as the paper said, " you have given the 
church satisfaction." The deposition however contained this 
remarkable qualification: "In the meantime as a gifted brother 
you may preach for the edification of the church if you please." 
It is evident that the opposition was not to the pastor's doctrine 
and still less to his life, but simply to his church polity. Mr. 
Parker and Mr. Dummer were then both old men, Mr. Parker 
being about seventy-four, and Mr. Dummer about seventy-nine ; 
possibly it was a little harder for each one to appreciate an 
opponent's position and to be conciliatory than in earlier life. 
Mr. Dummer's party numbered forty-one church members 
whose names are on record ; the next year forty-one church 
members are recorded by name on Mr. Parker's side, but there 
is no name common to the two lists ; this indicates that the 
Yankee Puritan backbone was displayed and nobody would 
change sides. Meetings were disturbed by " an hubbub, knock- 
ing, stamping, hemming, gaping; " and there are indications 
that which side a candidate would take affected his admission 
to the church. Council after council sought to pour oil on the 
troubled waters, but could not allay the storm. It is not strange 
that one council should speak of the devil's " too much influence 
upon the spirits even of godly minded ones," and of " the 
remnants of the powers and deceits of the old man in the best." 
The matter was taken into court, where fines were imposed on 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 5 I 

Mr. Dummer and thirty-eight others, ranging from the equiva- 
lent of $22 down to $i. Still the strife raged. It came be- 
fore the legislature, which on the 19th of May, 1672, adopted 
a lengthy statement concerning the whole matter, and sent 
a letter to the church, for then church and state were con- 
nected. In this letter the Congregational method of doing 
church business is explained and upheld ; the " offences and 
provocations given " Mr. Dummer and his party are admitted, 
as is their claim to be the majority, but their course is con- 
demned " as a violation of church order in the gospel and 
usurpation upon the liberties of their brethren." Even this 
action of the colonial legislature did not produce peace, for, on 
the 8th of October of the same year, the legislature appointed 
a committee comprising some of the most eminent citizens 
of the colony " to repair to Newbury and call both parties 
together," and if possible effect " Christian submission one to 
another," but to report " any refractoriness in any amongst 
them to the next court of election." This is the last notice that 
has come down to us of the unhappy church quarrel that had 
lasted at least twenty-seven years. We may hope that this com- 
mittee of peace-makers was successful. Mr. Parker lived nearly 
five years longer and Mr. Dummer more than seven. Let us 
trust that their closing years realized much of the peace and 
love of the better country to whose border they were come. 
There appears to have been an impetuous vein in Mr. Dummer's 
character, but this very impetuousness probably contributed 
much toward the achievements of his life. His long, active, 
beneficent, and somewhat stormy career closed December 14, 
1679, when he was eighty-eight years old, " and he died in a 
good old age, full of days, riches, and honor." But his stock 
took root in the earth, and the long succession of his worthy 
descendants has been unbroken down to our day. Mr. N. N. 
Dummer, of Byfield, is one of them. 

OTHER NEWBURY SETTLERS. 

Opposite to Mr. Dummer, on the north side of the Falls, was 
the great pasture of Mr. Henry Sewall, Jr., comprising five 



52 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

hundred acres. Mr. Sewall had a house on the Longfellow lane, 
about a hundred rods north of the present street, but it could 
hardly be called his home. His lands stretched to Cart Creek 
on the east. On the other side of Cart Creek was Dr. John 
Clark's farm of four hundred acres. He lived where Mr. Asa 
Pingree does now. He was a very prominent citizen in the new 
colony. He is said to have received while yet in England a 
document certifying to his skill in operating for the stone. It 
was a piece of rare good fortune for the little wilderness settle- 
ment to have so eminent a surgeon within its border, and the 
town showed its appreciation of his services by exempting him 
from taxation. Dr. Clark is reputed to have been a lover of 
the horse, and to have introduced a breed that long bore his 
name. The inventory of his estate corresponds to his equine 
and surgical distinction. One entry reads : " Horses, young and 
old, 12 @ £$ each £60," and another entry is: "Books and 
instruments, with several chirurgery materials in the closet, 
£60." The striking portrait of Dr. John Clark, owned by the 
Massachusetts Historical Society and reproduced in Coffin's 
" Newbury," is probably that of our Dr. Clark. Unfor- 
tunately for our parish, the attractions of Boston soon drew 
him thither. He had descendants in the medical profession in 
a direct line to the seventh generation. Dr. Clark was suc- 
ceeded on the same farm by Mr. Richard Thorlay, the bridge 
builder. The beautiful new reredos of Winchester Cathedral 
has a statue of one of its ancient sainted bishops, with a bridge 
in his hand to commemorate the fact that he was a pioneer 
bridge builder. Mr. Thorlay has that title to canonization. 
Mr. Thomas Thurlow, of West Newbury, is his descendant. 

JOHN PEARSON. 
When we turn to the Rowley side of the parish, we find 
Mr. John Pearson to be the best known of the early settlers. 
Like those that have been mentioned on the Newbury side, 
Mr. Pearson served his generation. In 1643 he built a fulling- 
mill on the Byfield side of Mill River, a few rods south of 
the present Glen Mills. Such a mill did not supersede the 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 53 

wheel and loom at home. It was simply a mill to which the 
homespun cloth was brought to be rudely finished ; it added 
compactness to the cloth, and so made it warmer and more 
durable, at the same time it improved its appearance. John- 
son's " Wonder-Working Providence " says of Mr. Pearson and 
his neighbors : " These . . . were the first people that set 
upon making of cloth in this western world, for which end they 
built a fulling-mill; " thus early — sixty-seven years before the 
parish was incorporated — did Byfield take a leading place in 
industrial progress. This mill remained in Mr. Pearson's family 
and name for six generations, and his son Benjamin became a 
miller on the main stream of the Parker, where his descendants 
of the same surname and given name have continued in honor- 
able and successful business to the present day. 

OTHER ROWLEY SETTLERS. 

Thomas Nelson erected a grist-mill on the same stream and 
the same falls, probably a year or two earlier. This was the 
pioneer grist-mill in Rowley. Mr. Nelson was an emigrant of 
large means and the ancestor of a numerous and worthy pos- 
terity in Byfield, Georgetown, and far and wide. There is every 
reason to believe that the great admiral was of the same family. 

With the second generation, the number of settlers in Byfield 
increased. Then the Tenneys struck westerly into the wilder- 
ness to near the foot of Long Hill, and built a house nearer to 
the river than the present one. This was destined to become 
one of the historic homesteads of New England. Toward the 
close of the century, at least three brothers-in-law of Judge 
Sewall were residents of Byfield : Moses Gerrish, William Long- 
fellow, and William Moody. Henry Sewall, Jr., divided his 
Falls lands between his three daughters, who married the men 
just mentioned. The lines of division are said to have run 
straight up from the river. Mr. Moses Gerrish married Jane 
Sewall September 24, 1677. Her share included where Mr. 
Lacroix lives now. Possibly the Gerrishes lived in the oldest or 
westerly part of Mr. Lacroix's house. Before he renovated the 
house, that part bore the marks of great antiquity. Mr. Gerrish's 



54 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

family became very prominent and useful both in the parish 
and far beyond its borders. Mrs. Lacroix is a descendant of 
Henry Sewall through the Longfellows, so the farm is even now 
inhabited by the good old Sewall stock. Mr. William Long- 
fellow married Anne Sewall November 10, 1678. Her portion, 
or a part of it, still remains in the family and the name. Mr. 
Longfellow seems to have been good company, but not over 
provident, nor liable to the charge of undue attention to his 
dress. He was drowned in Phips' unfortunate expedition against 
Quebec in 1690. Judge Sewall's writings have graphic allusions 
to him. It need hardly be added that the poet Longfellow was 
descended from William and Anne (Sewall) Longfellow. An 
interesting tradition puts the building of the first Longfellow 
house at 1676. It stood until recent years. Two memorials 
of the home are said to still survive: a stone horse-block and 
a sweetbrier rose bush — a beautiful suggestion of the solidity 
of the Sewall stock and the sweetness of song which a Long- 
fellow was to bequeath to the world. William Moody married 
Mehitable Sewall November 15, 1684. Miss Harriet Moody, 
his descendant, and the widow of William Goodrich live on the 
original Moody place. Mr. Moody was a worthy, enterprising 
citizen, a miller, and the record of his descendants in this 
history will show their sterling worth. Mr. William H. Moody, 
Secretary of the Navy, is one of his posterity. About 1687 
Mr. Peter Cheney entered into an agreement with the town 
of Newbury to build a fulling-mill and a grist-mill on the 
Parker, both apparently at the upper falls or near the present 
railway station. Those whose names were mentioned in Chap- 
ter I. as having their ministry rate abated would all, of course, 
be already within the limits of Byfield. Thus, what was to 
become the new parish was gradually being peopled. 

JOHN SPOFFORD. 

As most of Georgetown belonged to Byfield until the second 
parish of Rowley in what is now Georgetown was set off in 
173 1, I will speak of the pioneer family in that section, that of 
John Spofford. He was one of the first settlers of Rowley, and 







THE ORIGINAL LONGFELLOW HOUSE, BUILT ABOUT 1676, 
AS IT APPEARED IN 1875 

(By permission of Harper and Brothers) 




THE PARSONAGE OF 1703, AS IT APPEARED IN 1S75 
(By permission of Harper and Brothers) 



THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 55 

probably one of Mr. Rogers' little Yorkshire band that formed 
the kernel of the company. He was, so far as is known, the 
ancestor of all of the name in the United States and Canada, 
and of a great multitude that bear other names. Paul Spof- 
ford, for more than fifty years a leading merchant of New York, 
whose son Paul N. has been helpful to the author in the prepa- 
ration of this book ; George Peabody, the banker ; Dr. Richard 
S. Spofford, of Newburyport, and his son Hon. Richard S. Spof- 
ford, " champion of the hardy New England fisherman; " Judge 
Henry M. Spofford of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, and 
Ainsworth R. Spofford of encylopedic knowledge — long may 
he adorn his office in the Congressional Library ! — are a few 
of his prominent descendants. When John Spofford the emi- 
grant had lived thirty years in the pleasant little hamlet of 
Rowley, impelled by a true Anglo-Saxon spirit of conquest, he 
went westward more than six miles, and more than three miles, 
probably, beyond any white settler, and made a new home on 
what is still called from him Spofford's Hill. Think of the 
loneliness and peril of such an outpost ! But imagine also the 
fascination to a sturdy pioneer of battling with hardship and 
peril, and changing the wilderness into a fruitful field. The 
town owned a tract of three thousand acres on the hill; from 
that it leased to him a farm of ninety acres. He and his de- 
scendants retained the lease eighty-one years, and at the end of 
that period it reverted to the town, but in those eighty-one years 
they had become owners of nearly a thousand acres adjacent. 
Certainly this was a good specimen of the thrift of our fathers. 
After the Byfield church was formed, until the second parish 
was set off, his family in common with the others of that 
region attended the Byfield meeting. I would like to extend 
this study of' the honorable record of the settlement of By- 
field, but it would swell the book to an undue size. Let 
those that have been mentioned be taken as specimens. No 
generations in our history are more worthy of commemoration 
than those which let the sunlight into the primeval forest, 
broke up the virgin soil, and bore and conquered the privations 
and perils of this new land. 



5^ THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MOTHER CHURCHES. 

Some have misapprehended the differences between our two 
mother churches of Newbury and Rowley. There were marked 
differences, but not in doctrine. The catechism of Mr. Noyes 
of Newbury breathes the same spirit and maintains the same 
doctrines as that of Mr. Rogers of Rowley, and Newbury, as 
well as Rowley, insisted on doctrinal soundness in candidates 
for membership. In the heat of the quarrel about Mr. Parker, 
both parties agreed that " orthodoxy " must be a condition of 
admission to the church. The differences were, however, 
marked. Rowley had, like almost all the early New England 
churches, a Congregational polity, while Newbury's worthy 
pastor was, as we have seen, bound to rule his church 
in a Presbyterian fashion ; but chiefly, while Rowley, like 
almost all her neighbors, examined the " experiences " of can- 
didates with rigid scrutiny, Newbury laid little stress on in- 
ternal evidences of conversion, though it is not to be inferred 
that Newbury underrated experience. Both Mr. Parker and 
Mr. Noyes were men who walked with God, but they did not 
set candidates on a minute and painful work of introspection : it 
was enough for them if they were " orthodox and of good con- 
versation." We read in Mather's " Magnalia " that Mr. Noyes 
held " that such as show a willingness to repent and be bap- 
tized in the name of the Lord Jesus, without known dissimu- 
lation, are to be admitted." It has been said of three branches 
of the Christian Church of our day, that the decisive question 
with one is, "What do you believe?" with the second, " How 
do you feel?" and with the third, " How do you live?" Mr. 
Noyes put the first and the third, but passed over the second. 
All honor to him for being a pioneer in this direction. 

CURIOUS INSCRIBED STONES. 

Byfield affords interesting relics of a remarkable early in- 
dustry in various inscribed stones. A considerable number 
of these are to be seen about the buildings of the late Mr. 
Alfred Ambrose; there are also the ancient mile-stones at 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 57 

Dummer Academy, at Mr. Silas Noyes', and elsewhere, and 
there are gravestones of the same character. It is likely 
that the work was done near where Mr. Ambrose's house 
now stands, as there are so many specimens about those 
premises. The stones are ornamented with rude sculptures 
of fleur-de-lis and scrolls and other devices, some of them, in 
the opinion of Dr. Hovey of Newburyport, of a pagan and 
phallic character. The material, according to his interesting 
sketch {Scietitific American Supplement, November 24, 1900), 
is diorite, hard to work but very durable, and it is found in 
the neighboring pastures. The dates range from 1636 to 1756. 
What a strange eccentricity possessed those stone-workers in 
the strict Puritan settlement, and how enduring is the record 
left us of hands that forgot their cunning so long ago ! 

INDIAN WARS. 

Repeated allusions have already been made in this history 
to our fathers' troubles with the Indians. Hardly any New 
England settlement was free from these. While Byfield that 
was to be, suffered no general massacre, she had an average 
share of conflict, although the sachem of the immediate region, 
Masconomo, was always friendly. The Pequot War of 1637 
occurred before Rowley was settled, but Newbury was called 
upon for eight men, and Byfield was represented among them. 
From 1637 until 1675 there was comparative peace, although 
Rowley and Newbury were represented in a little expedition 
of 1642, and Rowley had men in an expedition of 1653. In 
1675-76 there came the life-and-death struggle of New Eng- 
land, and especially of Massachusetts and Plymouth, with King 
Philip. In this struggle six hundred colonists fell on the 
battle-field, and there was scarcely a family in which some one 
did not suffer; more than six hundred buildings were burned, 
and the cost of the war — half a million dollars — was as great 
in proportion as that of the war for independence (Barry's 
"History of Massachusetts," I., p. 447). The pages of Coffin 
and of Gage show how heavily the conflict bore on Newbury 
and Rowley. Coffin tells how frequent and large were the 



58 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

impressments of soldiers, and how great were the war ex- 
penses of Newbury. In 1675 the "minister's rate" was in 
round numbers .£104, while the war cost them .£458, or more 
than four times as much. Gage dwells fondly on the heroism 
of Captain Brocklebank of Rowley and his fellow-townsmen, 
who fell on the bloody field of Sudbury. 

After a breathing spell of only twelve years, the colonies were 
again plunged into the terrors of another Indian war, which 
raged from 1688 to 1697. It was not now a contest with Indians 
near home, but with those that swarmed out of the vast forests 
to the north and east; nor yet with the Indian alone or chiefly, 
but with the Indian stirred up and backed by the Frenchman in 
the long contest between France and England for the mastery 
of North America. It was in this war that Mr. Goodrich and 
his family were smitten, as was narrated on page 16. One of 
the eastern Indian massacres also touched Byfield closely, for 
its most noted victim was one of Byfield's noblest sons. At 
the opening of the year 1692, southern New Hampshire, and 
what is now the southwestern part of Maine, had already 
suffered so severely that the good people of Connecticut had 
collected a large store — a vessel load, apparently — of provi- 
sions and clothing for their succor, and Judge Sewall, of Boston, 
was glad to be the agent for the transmission of the timely 
charity. On the ninth of January he wrote a very kindly 
letter to Rev. Shubael Dummer, of York, Maine, and two others, 
concerning the fraternal gift. Mr. Dummer was a son of our 
Richard Dummer, a graduate of Harvard, of the class of 1656, 
and a man of beautiful Christian character. His flock was 
poor, and he had been their generous helper from his own 
means. He had labored among them devotedly some twenty 
years, turning a deaf ear to every call to a more prominent or 
an easier field ; but sixteen days after the writing of that letter, 
in the dead of winter, when the little frontier hamlet had begun 
to feel secure, partly because for several months there had 
been a lull in the storm, and partly, no doubt, from the depth 
of the snow, the Indians burst upon them, having made their 
way over the snow on snow-shoes. In this attack they killed 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 59 

about fifty, and took captive nearly a hundred. Mr. Dummer 
fell with the slain, and his wife was carried into captivity 
" where through snows and hardships among those dragons 
of the desert she also quickly died." Cotton Mather, whose 
sketch of Mr. Dummer is one of his best bits of biography, 
after enumerating his excellences says, " In a word, he was 
one that might by way of eminency be called a good man." 
And Sewall laments (" Letter-Book," I., p. 129) : " [His death] 
is the more sorrowful to me because he was my mother's cousin 
german and my very good friend." " Mr. D writt me a Letter 
of the 19th Jan. full of love. ..." 

Mrs. Almira A. Lunt, to whom I am much indebted for in- 
teresting facts as to old By field, sends me an extract from a 
letter to her from Mr. Parker C. Pillsbury, concerning the house 
where Mr. Herbert Witham now lives. Mr. Pillsbury was born 
in that house. He writes : " It was built in the time of the 
Indian depredations. My great-grandmother occupied it in the 
time of the Indians. It was lined from the sill to the girth with 
bricks between the plastering and the boards. There were 
doors outside the windows to shut at night. The outside doors 
were barred inside. One night the Indians came and attacked 
the house, making an attempt to cut the outside [doors] down 
to get into the house. My great-grandmother took a pail of 
scalding water, went upstairs, and poured it on their heads, and 
they were glad to retire." It will be remembered that the 
Witham house has its second story project over the lower story, 
and it is said that there was formerly an opening through the 
projecting part to fire upon assailants, or, as in this case, to 
give them a hot-water baptism. All honor to the brave fore- 
mothers of Byfield ! 

A local history is not the place to discuss the general ques- 
tion of the moral character of our fathers' dealings with the 
Indians. The Indians were uncivilized heathen, and perpe- 
trated the most fiendish cruelties in war, but that they were 
never despised, defrauded, and oppressed, even by the Puritan 
settlers of New England, I should not like to maintain. It 
takes a larger infusion of Christianity than the world has yet 



60 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

experienced to lead a strong race to do justice to a weak 
one. The voluminous pages of Sewall's " Diary" and " Letter- 
Book," which afford our best mirror of those days, give abun- 
dant proof that he did not think that the Indian and the Negro 
received a full measure of justice and Christian kindness and 
effort from the white settlers ; but the record of the settlers of 
our region, so far as it has come down to us, is a favorable one. 
This conduct made Masconomo friendly not only to them but 
also to their religion; and we have seen (p. 14) how our 
towns paid money to his grandchildren to get a clear title. 
One individual at least also paid a considerable sum to Indian 
claimants of the land he occupied. This was Henry Sewall, Jr., 
who in 168 1 paid Job Indian, Hagar Indian, and Mary Indian, 
the heirs of " old Will Indian late of Newbury Falls " £6 13s. ^d. 
each, or ^20 in all, for their quit claim deed to one hundred 
and sixty acres or more of land. The original document was 
found among the papers of the late Paul Moody and is now in 
the possession of Mr. Patrick of Lowell. 

Through the kindness of Mr. J. O. Hale, I am permitted to 
insert a transcript of it in this history with its " marks " made 
by representatives of a race that has vanished from our borders. 
.£20 seems perhaps a moderate price for one hundred and sixty 
acres, but land was not worth so much to those who only 
roamed over it and hunted its game and fished in its waters as 
to those who unlocked the treasures of its soil. Besides, this 
may have been only a final payment to quiet all claims. He 
may have previously paid a much larger sum to "old Will" 
himself. 

WITCHCRAFT. 

The massacre of Mr. Goodrich and his family in Byfield, 
and of Rev. Mr. Dummer, a son of Byfield, at York, both took 
place, as has been said, in 1692. This is the most tragic year 
in New England history, for in it the witchcraft delusion 
reached its culmination. The mania cast its dark shadow over 
both Newbury and Rowley, for Elizabeth Morse, who a few 
years earlier barely escaped the gallows under the fearful 
accusation of being a witch, lived in Newbury, and Margaret 



THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 6 1 

Scott, who was hung in 1692, was of Rowley; but neither of 

these victims lived within the limits of Byfield. Our parish 

has in history only the romantic corona of that dark eclipse 

of reason and humanity. The falls of the Parker was the 

traditional spot where the witches entered into covenant with 

the Evil One, and received his sacraments of baptism and 

hellish bread and wine. 

For Tituba my Indian saith 
At Quascycung she took 
The Black Man's godless sacrament, 
And signed his dreadful book. 

Quascycung or Quascacunquen was primarily the falls of the 
Parker, although the whole river came to bear the same name. 

THE LIFE OF THE PIONEERS. 

I shall not attempt a full picture of the life of Byfield in the 
seventeenth century, but only here and there a lineament. The 
people lived at first in log-cabinc with thatched roofs, and floors, 
in some instances it would seem, of mother earth ; but as saw- 
mills multiplied and their means increased, they exchanged 
these primitive abodes for frame houses, often large and of 
two stories, in size corresponding to their families. In these 
houses, the second story frequently projected over the lower 
one for defence against the Indian, and the roof ran down to 
the lower story in the rear, making a back " linter " (lean-to). 
In the huge chimney was the bench where the family could 
sit cozily and watch the great fire of logs or read by its light. 
I have a faint recollection of such a chimney in the Long Hill 
house before its alteration by the late Major Stickney. 

Mr. Witham's house, which was in my youth the Pillsbury 
house and was still earlier the Dickinson house, is probably 
an heirloom from the seventeenth century. Its architecture 
closely resembles that of the old house on Kent's Island, not 
now standing, that is said to have been built in 1653. The 
exterior has already been described. The interior is interest- 
ing. The large living-room has a huge fireplace in which two 
cook-stoves stand side by side, a beautifully carved wooden 
latch on the great cellar door, a crane five or six feet long 



62 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

attached to a great beam in the ceiling to swing out and hold 
candlesticks suspended by trammels, and wooden partitions 
dressed of old with blue clay and skim-milk in lieu of paint. 
May the house long stand to attest the generous size and the 
thoroughness with which our fathers built, the character of their 
architecture, and the perils that beset them. 

They married young and had large families of children, for 
which they thanked God. Judge Sewall had five sisters who 
married in Newbury and Rowley. Their average age at mar- 
riage was nineteen years, and their average number of children 
was eight. The pastor of one of these sisters, the Rev. Mr. 
Payson of Rowley is said to have had twenty children by one 
wife — little danger that such a stock would be crowded out 
of the land by any rival. 

I give the following inventory in full, as I am sure my readers 
of the fair sex would not forgive me if I abridged it : 

An Inventory of the eftate of m r s ffrances Dumer of newberry de- 
ceafed, the goods fhe was pollefled off apprifed as money 23 appril 
1685. 

Imp. 1 bed & boliter & 3 pillowes 

a worfled rugg 26 s / Courled [Coverlet] 3 blankets 37 s / 

1 fuit of Curtens & Vallence 30 s / a w* rugg 7 s / 

Silver goblet 4 fpoons 32 s / thimble 2/ 

3 fcarfes y e best at 27 s / the du cape 9 s / 

a luteitring fcarfe 1 7 s / the best hood 

the two worft hoods 8/ 

Silk cape & whifk, fleevs filk ftokins | 
fl in all j 

1 pr flockins 3/ 3 pr gloves 7,j6 

a fann 4 s / a fay apron 8 s / 

1 pr bodies 10/ an otter muff 5/ 

2 filk petticots 47 s / a farrendine mantle 30/ 
1 filk gown 3* 5 s / a ftomacher 
1 prunella black gown 34 & petticot 14 
1 farge coat w' a lace 23 and a white ") 

woolen Coat 8 s / j 1 . 1 1 . o 
1 dutch farge gound 28/ a morneing | 

gound of iluff 8/ 1 farge petticot 1 8 j 2.6.0 

Rideing hood & fafegard 1 6 s / 2 old peticots 16/ 1 . 1 2 . o 



n i 

77) 



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3 


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6 


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12 








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8 







THE TOP HOUSE" (ROBERT JEWETT HOUSE), WARREN STREET 




THE W1THAM (DICKINSON, PILLSBURY) HOUSE 
Probably built in the Seventeenth Century 



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THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 6$ 

3 pr ftockins i pr fhoes o . 7.0 

1 pillion & cloth 7 s / & a cufhion o . 7.0 

Bermuda hat 2/4 pilowbers 6 s / ") 

and a bafket 6 d j 0.8.6 

1 whit mantle i s /6 d Sex j 

napkins 6/ J 0.7.6 

1 pr cotten & Linnen lheets 20/ | 

a tablecloth 3/9** J 

1 pr old cotton & linen meets 3/ 
pr meets half wore 12/ and 

1 pr old ones 6 s / 
a meet & towel 3 s / 4 dowlas fhifts 26 s / 
3 fuftin waftcots 4 s 6 d 7 w* aprons 1 7 s / 
7 handkerchifs 9 s / 6 neck 

handkerchifs 13 s / 

1 ps holland 6 s / 8 caps 16 s / 2 old ones i £ 
plain w' capes 4 of ym 1 o s / 
w' fleivs 9 pr 12 s / a pr gloves | 

a blue apron 9 d 1 pillowbear 3 d j 0.13.0 

a w' bag of remnants of cloth thred ] 

filk & other things j 0.5.0 

2 litle boxes 2 s / a bible & 2 books 6 s / ") 
more peuter 10 s / j 

a morter & peftel 4 s / 2 chifts 9 s / | 
two trunks 14/ j 

a cabinet 4"/ 1 cupbord 20 s / a table 10/ 
the Gaily potts i s / 
1 knive & glafs i s /io d 

45 . 14 . 01 
John Bayly 
John Caldwell fenr 
At a Court held at Salem June 30. 1685. 
An Inventory of the estate of m r s frances dumer deceafed being pre- 
fented to us of 45 pound 14/8 by her fone Richard dumer we fe caufe 
to ordor to m r Shubael dumer eldeft fone the one half of it And to 
m r Jeremy dumer and Richard dumer the other half to be equaly 
divided between you two. 

The Court orders this to be entred as attefts 

John Appleton Cler. 
Essex, ss. Probate Office October 10 1903. 
A true copy from Book 302 page 141. 

Attest. J. T. Mahoney. Register. 






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6 4 



THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 



Four years later the inventory of the emigrant Richard 
Dummer's son Richard was taken. I give extracts from this 
inventory to show the possessions of a man of large means in 
those primitive times. (304 Essex Co., Prob. Records 302. 
Original Document.) 

An Inventory of y e Estate of Capt n Richard Dummer Esqr Late of 
Newbury who deceased July 4 th 1689 

His Wearing apparell 30 00 00 

plate 24 ounces & 

plate buttons jQ 2 

1 Fowling peice ^3 

musquet 1-10 = 1 Carbine 30s 

1 Raipier 25s 1 Shoulder belt 35s 

a buff belt 12s a cane 7s 

To Bookes 

Housing Landes upland & Meadow 

Gardens orchardes Tenements 

forming togather with the 

freehold & privihdges 

7 Bedes bolstezes & bedsteedes 

& other Furnuture 31 =00-00 

23 pairs of Sheetes 29 = 19 - 00 



09 - 19 - o 
05 = 00 = 00 



2000 = 00-00 



To a glas case & 
Looking glas 

Iron pots dripinpans 

candlesticks tongs Tramiles 

fender & Spitt 

Brass kittle & other brass 

a Copper pott & Skimer & a Ladle 

Putter 

a Case of Knives 

[" sheepes wole," flax yarn and 

hemp yarn are inventoried.] 

To a Hors & Furnitture 

Item Neat Catle breeding Maires | 

and a Colt Sheep & Swine J 

Item a Neagro 



2 = 10 = 00 



05 = 02 = 01 

05 = 00 = 00 
00 = 15 = 00 

06 = 19 = 00 
00 = 05 = 00 



20 = 00 = 00 

147 = 00 = 00 

60 = 00 = 00 

2432 = 00 = 00 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 6$ 

These inventories are instructive. Like almost all manu- 
scripts of the period they display great fertility of invention in 
spelling, and a great dearth of punctuation marks. Mrs. Dum- 
mer's inventory shows that the proverbial economy of the 
Yankee marked our stock from the beginning: not only "half 
wore" but "old" clothes are carefully enumerated; even the 
" white bag of remnants " is not overlooked. Our lady's ward- 
robe enabled her to dress if she pleased in silk from cap to 
" stockins." She was equipped for horseback riding with pillion 
" cloath " and " cushing," but of shoes only one pair is recorded. 
Her library was limited to " a bible & two bookes more." Little 
mention is made of " cotten ; " it was still an expensive rarity, 
for the days of Arkwright and of Whitney had not yet dawned. 
The probate office of that time was deficient in arithmetic : 
there are at least ten errors in the figures carried out, and the 
footing up is several pounds astray, and the clerk's quotation of 
the footing is incorrect. The oldest son had a double portion as 
the first-born. He was the one who seven years later was mur- 
dered by the Indians (p. 59). This inventory ought to be re- 
viewed by a lady ; the general impression which it makes upon 
the masculine mind is that of great variety and abundance. 

If we may judge from the inventory of Captain Dummer, a 
leading citizen sixty and more years after the first settlement 
would be fairly well clothed, excellently armed, and scantily 
supplied with books. He would have some plate, but brass 
and "putter" (pewter) would enter largely into his household 
equipment. The great brass kettle and the broad pewter 
platter that are cherished heirlooms in so many of our homes 
are typical of those times. He would lead an independent life, 
with broad acres, large flocks and herds, and a good store of 
flax and wool. Slavery was not a prominent feature of the 
times, but the " neagro " was there as property, and was valued 
in pounds sterling just like the sheep and swine. No carpets 
appear in either inventory: it was the era of scoured and 
sanded floors. Forks are likewise absent; the fingers still plied 
briskly their immemorial task at meal time between the plate 
and the mouth. 

5 



66 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

The table of those times if compared with ours had less fresh 
meat and more salt, but it had more game and fresh fish, 
including salmon from their own streams ; they had no potatoes, 
but plenty of turnips of that choice flavor which only a virgin 
soil could impart. Trenchers, that is, square pieces of board 
such as are still used in Winchester College, England, served 
for plates. With their " victuals " they drank neither tea nor 
coffee, but liberal draughts of cider. 

They had no newspapers, but had time and mind for solid 
reading, mostly religious and so stiff and dry in style as hardly 
to deserve the name of literature, — but they did have and 
read and ponder the choicest classic of all our literature, our 
English Bible. 

Letters were, to most, a great rarity; the mails were few 
and slow and expensive. In 1693, more than fifty years after 
Byfield was settled, it took nearly a cord of oak wood to pay 
the postage on a letter from here to Virginia. 

Their clothing, if of cloth, was homespun, and the great loom, 
as I remember that of my grandmother, would fill a room; 
but they wore many a skin of sheep and deer and moose, 
which did not tax the fingers of wife and daughter in their 
preparation. The courts watched with a jealous eye and sup- 
pressed with a substantial penalty any attempt of ambitious 
women to dress beyond their husbands' rank and means. 

They were largely a pastoral people, with great flocks and 
herds that were securely penned at night to save them from 
bears and wolves. Newbury is estimated to have had in 1685 
over five thousand sheep. The humble ass also was common. 
Swine abounded and were yoked and ringed in the spring to 
keep them out of mischief; and the poor dog had one " legg 
tyed up " in the same season so that he might not " bee found 
scrapeing up fish in a corne fielde," that is, the fish used as 
dressing for the corn. 

Cattle of different owners were distinguished by marks cut in 
the ears. "Richard Dol y e 3 rd " — a Byfield man — had for 
the ear-mark of his cattle " a slip in y e uper [side] " and " a 
fork in y e left ear," &c, with a diagram, all carefully entered in 



THE PIONEERS {1635-1702). 67 

the town records. It was so important that the ear-marks be 
accurately recorded that room was found in the town books 
of Newbury for the following poetry (?) of warning: 
" To the Clarcks suckgessively 

Examine well the marks set 

Down before 
By you there be Recorded 

Any more 
Least some persons through 

Mistake do wrong 
In that which 

dont to them belong. 

Joshua Moody, Clarck. 1 

Driving in the springless cart or farm wagon along the rude 
" paths " and roads could not have been attractive, but horse- 
back riding was as exhilarating exercise then as now — com- 
panionable also, for the maiden or matron often rode on a 
pillion behind the man. One trait of travel gave the good 
horse a frequent minute to breathe, for the rider often had to 
dismount to open and shut the gate that barred the road to 
keep different herds of cattle separate. 

Very early in Newbury, within four years after the settlement 
of the town, provision was made for the public school, and fre- 
quent entries in the ancient record attest our fathers' deter- 
mination that their children should not grow up in ignorance. 
Their pastors often taught the week-day school, at least for 
the more advanced pupils, as well as preached on the Lord's 
Day. But schooling in those times was not altogether free : the 
town paid part, and the parent part; in 1681 in Newbury such 
scholars as studied only English branches paid threepence a 
week. The fact that the great eastern highway ran through 
our borders was an educating influence of no small power. 

While there was little luxury, there was a high degree of 
general comfort and thrift. No pauper is mentioned in Rowley 
until 1678, and Newbury was nearly as favored. 

In some respects their life was not so healthy as ours, and 
their knowledge of medicine was very defective ; against the 

1 Clerk, that is, Town Clerk. 



68 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

dreaded visits of the small-pox, for instance, they had not yet 
even the protection of inoculation ; but they were a robust 
stock, following the healthiest of all callings, and many of them 
lived to a hale old age. 

The general standard of integrity was high, and the moral 
conduct of families was under the close scrutiny of the tithing- 
men, of whom each one had the oversight of a specified num- 
ber of families. It was not until a later period that their duties 
were narrowed to the maintenance of order in the meeting- 
house. 

On the Sabbath, — they never used the pagan term "Sun- 
day," — everybody went to meeting — never to church; they 
reserved that term for the Lord's people. Some of them 
had to travel six miles to their respective meeting-houses in 
Rowley and Newbury, but they were all there. When they 
arrived they all took the seats that had been assigned them. 
Three facts were considered in the delicate matter of deter- 
mining these seats, — age, social rank, and the amount of the 
minister rate paid by each one. Before the close of the period 
family pews began to be built in the meeting-houses. The house 
was not warmed, but their veins were full of healthy red blood, 
and their homespun woollen clothing was unadulterated with 
cotton. In winter as in summer, the minister was expected 
to preach until the hour-glass ran out, and he rarely disap- 
pointed them. On one occasion a young preacher in the 
Newbury meeting was so bashful that he did not dare glance 
at the hour-glass, and so preached on and on for two and a 
half hours ! The timid youth ultimately concluded that he 
was not called to the ministry, and is known to history as 
Chief-Justice Sewall — the one so often quoted in this history. 

They were honest, cheerful, and brave ; pure and hard- 
working; a virile, God-fearing, home-loving people, who looked 
to heaven as "their dearest cuntrie." There may be others, 
but the only books in existence, of which I am aware, that 
came over with the progenitors of the Byfield people, are the 
Stickney and the Moody Bibles. This fact is typical of their 
character. As Mr. John Higginson said in 1663, " New Eng- 



THE PIONEERS (1635-1702). 69 

land is originally a plantation of Religion, not a plantation of 
Trade . . . worldly gain was not the end and design of the 
people of New England, but Religion. And if any man 
amongst us make Religion as twelve and the world as thir- 
teen, let such an one know he hath neither the spirit of a true 
New England man nor yet of a sincere Christian." 



CHAPTER V. 

DURING THE PASTORATE OF THE REV. MOSES HALE 

(i 702-1 744). 

Special Authorities ; Manuscript. The records of the church and of the Parish 
for all this period are lost. We have the record of baptisms from 1709, in a pre- 
cious little manuscript volume, which was substantially bound and put in a neat 
and durable case through the kindness of the late Mr. Cyrus Woodman of Cam- 
bridge. Mr. Woodman was a descendant in the sixth generation of Mr. Joshua 
Woodman, whose familiar stone in the Byfield burying-ground informs us that he 

was the 

first man child borne 

in Newbury 

& second inturid in 

this place. 

The assessors' book begins with 17 17. It is a thin folio bound in parchment, and 
the corners are tied together with inserted leathern strings. The memorial 
address upon Judge Byfield, delivered by Hon. Francis Brinley before the Rhode 
Island Historical Society in 1870. The manuscript is owned by Miss Emily M. 
Morgan of Hartford, a descendant in the fifth generation from Judge Byfield. The 
account book of Stephen Longfellow, the blacksmith, begins in 17 10. He made 
his entries wherever in the book it pleased his fancy. The latest date that I have 
noticed is 1752. It is an invaluable mirror of its times. The present owner is 
Mr. Horace Longfellow, his descendant. 

Printed. Hutchinson's second volume has much information as to Governor 
Dummer, and is very instructive as to the state of affairs in the province of Massa- 
chusetts. The Westbrook Papers are full of information as to Governor Dum- 
mer's public life. 

THE NEW PARISH. 

THE cause of the formation of the new parish may be 
inferred from what has already been written : the grow- 
ing population in those parts of Rowley and Newbury that 
were at an inconvenient distance from the established places 
of worship. 

The beginnings of the organization of Byfield are obscure 
from the dearth of records, although the main facts are well 
known. In 1701 seventeen persons in Rowley and fifteen in 
Newbury had half of their ministry rate abated ; probably, as I 
have said before, because they had already set up a new preach- 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17U). 71 

ing service or were about to do so. In these lists one was a 
woman, Mrs. Jane Gerrish, and one Robert (or Robin) Mingo, 
a negro. He joined the Byfield church, April 28, 1728. He 
became a citizen of Rowley and at one time lived in a small 
house on land now owned by Mr. L. R. Moody, east of 
Leighton's corner (Gage, p. 406). Thus the brotherhood of 
mankind was recognized by the Byfield church in its be- 
ginnings. May all its future be true to that happy omen. In 
the next year — 1702 — we have the following very instructive 
entry in Judge Sewall's diary: 

"Augt. 8. 1702. My dear sister Moody dies a little before sunrise. 
. . . Aug! 11. Set out from Salem [He had left Boston, his home, 
the day before] as the School-Bell rung. . . . When came to Rowley 
our Friends were gone. Got to the Falls about Noon. Two or three 
hours after the Funeral was, very hot sunshine. Bearers, Woodman, 
Capt. Greenlef, Dea. W m Noyes, Jn° Smith, Jon? Wheeler, Nathan 1 
Coffin. Many Newbury people there though so buisy a time ; . . . 
Mr. Hale, their minister [was there]. . . . About a mile or more to 
the Burying place. . . . Our dear sister, Mehetabel is the first buryed 
in this new Burying place, a Barly-earish, pure Sand, just behind the 
Meeting-house. ... I went back to the House, lodg'd there all night 
with Bro r . Moodey. Gave Wheelers wife a piece of f 1 to buy her a 
pair Shoes, Gave cousin Lydia a piece of -|. Augt. 12 pray'd with 
them and sung the 146 psalm. Went to J 11° Smith's and took the 
Acknowledgement of the Deed for the Land of the Meeting-house and 
Burying place." 

He wrote to Governor Dudley of his bereavement (" Letter- 
Book," I., p. 274) : "... She liv'd desir'd and dyes Lamented 
by her Neighbours ... a very ingenuous, tender-hearted, pious 
creature. ..." Mrs. Moody was about thirty-seven years old, 
and the above extracts show how tenderly she was loved and 
lamented. They doubly deserve a place in these pages because 
of her honorable posterity. They also reveal the generous and 
pious character of the Judge, and his close connection with the 
new parish, but they are inserted at this point because of their 
historical significance. They prove that Mr. Hale was already 

1 A Spanish coin of eight reals, the original of our dollar. 



7 2 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

their minister, and that the meeting-house was built. 1 The 
description of the burying-place shows that there was little loss 
to agriculture when it was set apart to a sacred use. The in- 
scription on Mrs. Moody's stone is as follows: 

Mehetable 

Dater of Mr. Henry & Jane 

Sewall, wife of Mr. William Moodey, 

Promoted settling the worship 

of God here, and then went to 

her glorified son William, 

leaueing her son Samuel & four 

Daters with their Father, August y e 

8th, 1702, Aetat 38 2 was the first 

interred in this place. (Gage, p. 431.) 

It is interesting to notice that the one act of her life which was 
selected for record on her gravestone was her aid in the estab- 
lishment of the infant parish, and the term employed is also 
interesting — "the worship of God." It is pleasant also to learn 
that a woman had so honorable a share in the good work. 
Mark likewise the strong faith in a blessed life beyond for the 
mother and for her child that had gone before. How much 
instruction and suggestion one brief epitaph may afford ! 

In 1704 we have another valuable record from Judge Sewall 
(" Letter-Book," I., pp. 296, 297). It reads thus: 

To Col. Nathan! Byfield, at Bristow [Bristol, R. I.]. 
Mar. 4, 1703/4. 

My Brother Moodey of Newbury came to visit us this week : He 
tells me that the inhabitants from the upper part of the River Parker, 
who have Mr. Moses Hale for their Minister, having made his house 
habitable, took the advantage of Meeting in it upon the four and 
twentieth of February last, being the fifth day of the week, to consult 
about the concerns of their Infant- Parish : At which time they unani- 

1 No picture of our first meeting- Noyes' plan of the interior was no doubt 

house has come down to us. We may based on careful research, 
surmise how it looked from the cut 2 She was in her thirty-eighth year, 

of the Oldtown meeting-house of 1700 having been born May 8, 1665. 
in Coffin's Newbury, p. III. Rev. D. P. 



» stem's 
pew 










^ ~£J 



y^f ._:_, 



n 






-^ ^ ^--i 



3 



THE PLAN OF THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE, DRAWN BY 
REV. D. P. NOYES 




THE PLAN OF THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE, DRAWN BY 
REV. D. P. NOYES 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17 M)- 73 

mously agreed to have the Place called Byfield. My brother is to 
carry home a Book to Record their Transactions relating to their 
Settleing the Worship of God in that Quarter; and this among the 
rest. I presume they will henceforward look upon you as their God- 
Father ; and will be ready gratefully to Acknowledge any Countenance 
and Favour you shall please to afford them. . . . 

So the parsonage was " habitable " by February 24, 1704. 
The stout-hearted little company seem, after a brief rest, if 
any, following the completion of their meeting-house, to have 
set about building a house for their young minister, but if 
there was speed there was no haste ; for the house still stands 
after a lapse of one hundred and ninety-nine years plumb and 
stanch, and promising with good care to greet future cen- 
tennial celebrations. It was the home of all our pastors until 
June 21, 1847, when it was leased to Rev. Mr. Durant for nine 
hundred and ninety-nine years. What household joys and sor- 
rows, and what social gatherings its walls have witnessed ; and 
how many of our families have tender ancestral associations 
with that venerable structure ! 

The first recorded parish gathering within it is not the least 
interesting. The naming of the baby is always an important 
event, and at this meeting the " Infant-Parish " received its 
name. The reader will notice that Judge Sewall says that the 
meeting took place on the fifth day of the week. He had too 
thorough a horror of heathenism to speak of Thursday — Thor's 
Day. The parish had been called " Rowlbery " to commemo- 
rate the two towns to which its people belonged, and the Judge 
had suggested Belford ; Bel being Mr. Moody's pet name for 
his wife Mehitabel, and there being a ford at the falls. For 
long after it was familiarly termed Newbury Falls, but its 
proper title from this time was Byfield. This naturally leads 
to a sketch of the worthy gentleman whose name it bears. 

JUDGE NATHANIEL BYFIELD. 
Judge Nathaniel Byfield was the son of the Rev. Richard 
Byfield, of Long Ditton, Surrey, England, who was a member 
of the famous Westminster Assembly of Divines. The Judge's 



74 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

mother was a sister of Dr. Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury. 
So he was of high birth. He was the youngest of one and 
twenty children, and one of the sixteen that — "sometimes fol- 
lowed their father to the place of publick worship." Picture the 
little Nathaniel, who was to win so many honors, trudging at the 
rear of that unique procession! He was born in 1653, and 
came to America in 1674. He was the principal original pro- 
prietor of Bristol, R. I., which he made his home for forty- 
four years. In 1873 Bristol gave his name to an elegant and 
commodious school-house in grateful recognition of its mani- 
fold indebtedness to his foresight and liberality. He held 
many high offices. He was Speaker, Judge of Probate, Judge 
of Common Pleas for forty years, member of the Governor's 
Council, Judge of the Vice- Admiralty, etc., etc. He received 
commissions for the last-named office from three sovereigns of 
Great Britain, and not one of his decisions was ever reversed. 
Being deep in politics he had enemies, of whom one was 
Jeremy Dummer, grandson of our Richard and brother of 
our Lieutenant-Governor William. Jeremy Dummer was the 
able agent of Massachusetts in England. 1 Judge Byfield was 
opposed to Governor Dudley, whom Senator Lodge terms 
" untrue to his country and to the honored name he bore," 
and went to England in 1714 to supplant him. Dummer sided 
with Dudley, and there is a lively letter of his extant, in which 
he describes an interview with Byfield and their mutual hos- 
tility. Dummer told Byfield that he should stand by Dudley 
with what friends and interest he could make ; to which Byfield 
"replied that he would by the help of God get him turned 
out and therein please God and all good men. Accordingly 

1 Dr. Chauncy pronounced him one thanks for the many blessings with 

of the "three first sons of New Eng- which He has been pleased to fill up 

land," and Bancroft said that his writ- the short scene of my life, firmly con- 

ings contained "the seed of American fiding in the Benignity of His nature, 

independence." He was the friend of that He won't afflict me in another 

Bolingbroke and not a Puritan in his world for some follys I have committed 

belief. The opening paragraph of his in this, in common with the rest of 

will reads thus : " In the chief place mankind, but rather that he will gra- 

and before all things, I do on this sol- ciously consider the frail and weak 

emn occasion commend my soul to frame that he gave me, and remember 

Almighty God and render him infinite that I was but dust." 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17U)- 75 

[Dummer continues] we have both been pretty diligent, but 
I think he is now a little out of breath. [The Judge was then 
sixty-one years old and a very large man.] ... I believe he 
now heartily wishes himself safe in his own government at 
Poppy-squash" [Dummer's nickname for Pappoosquaw Point, 
Judge Byfield's Bristol home]. The letter contains much more 
in the same vein. Judge Byfield, although born in England, 
was a stanch advocate of the rights of the colonists. He 
maintained in New England much of the establishment of a 
wealthy gentleman in old England. He was a man of sincere 
piety, great energy, courage, and executive ability, a ready 
and effective speaker, and at once very economical and sys- 
tematically and bountifully generous. His liberal-mindedness 
appears in his denunciation of the witchcraft mania and the 
sentences pronounced on the unfortunate victims. In 1724 he 
moved back from Bristol to Boston, where he died June 6, 
1733. Dr. Chauncy, his pastor, says of him in his funeral ser- 
mon, " The Father of Spirits was pleased to form within him 
a soul much beyond the common size." Our parish may 
always count it an honor to bear his name. 1 

THE FIRST PASTOR ORDAINED. 

On November 17, 1706, Mr. Hale was ordained, and prob- 
ably the church was organized the same day. There appear to 
have been sixteen members from Rowley: probably there was 
a little larger number from Newbury, and possibly there would 
be one or two from other churches. The total number would 
hardly reach thirty-five. Gage has preserved to us the names 
of the sixteen from Rowley ; they were : Samuel Brocklebank, 
Jonathan Wheeler, Benjamin Plumer, Nathan Wheeler, John 
Brown, Andrew Stickney, and Colin Frazer, with their wives, 
also Mary Chute and Elizabeth Look. Of these, Samuel 
Brocklebank lived, as I have said before, in the Beecher house, 
Benjamin Plumer possibly near him, one of the Wheelers 

1 Our parish was named for Judge to mean cultivated field. I give this on 
Byfield, but the name in itself is appro- the authority of Mr. W. Wheater, the 
priate, for Byfield is said to be the eminent antiquarian scholar of Harrow- 
equivalent of Bega-field and the latter gate, England. 



j6 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

perhaps where Mr. Horsch now lives, Andrew Stickney where 
Mr. Ewell lives. Mary Chute was the wife of James Chute, who 
probably lived on the James Peabody place ; Elizabeth Look's 
home was probably on North Street; and Colin Frazer probably 
lived near Frazer's rock. Of these sixteen, seven were men ; 
so the strength of manhood and the gentleness of womanhood 
were blended in almost equal measure. Happy church ! and 
happy it will be when such a proportion shall exist once more 
in our Byfield church and in all our churches. Man needs 
the gospel as much as woman, and the church needs both 
sexes equally in order to satisfactorily accomplish her mission. 
This seventeenth of November seventeen hundred and six, Old 
Style, was a red-letter day in the history of Byfield. Perhaps 
no better tribute could be paid to that devoted and courageous 
company of men and women, who made up what may be 
called the charter membership of the Byfield church, and to 
their associates in the parish, than is found in the following 
letter from Judge Sewall to Judge Byfield : 

To Nathaniel Byfield Esq. 

Jan' 6th., 170^ 
Sir, — The enclosed News letter mentions the little Parish, that 
bears your Name, and was so called for your sake. The Parishioners 
have struggled with many Difficulties in their little and low beginnings. 
The Work they have accomplished is Noble. They have settled the 
Worship of GOD in a place where the Inhabitants were under very 
hard Circumstances, by reason of their Remoteness. Their Hands are 
few and weak. If you shall find it in your heart, one way or other to 
give them a Lift, I am pursuaded you will therein be a Worker with 
GOD ; And I hope, neither You nor any of your Descendants, will 

have cause to Repent of it. . . . 

your humble Serv? S. S. 

Judge Byfield did not forget his namesake parish, but gave 
it a " Lift " as the Judge had suggested, some three years after, 
by the gift of a bell weighing two hundred and twenty-six 
pounds. How eagerly the parishioners, from Spofford's Hill 
to Dummer Academy, must have listened for the welcome tones 
of that bell ringing out on the crisp winter air the first Lord's 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-1744). 77 

Day morning after it was hung! Heaven speed the return of 
the day when all the people within the present limits of the 
parish, who do not worship elsewhere, shall delight to respond 
to the serious, gentle invitation of our church bell, — " the music 
nighest bordering upon heaven." 

The parish was incorporated October 30, 17 10, as " the Parish 
or Precinct upon Newbury Falls commonly called Byfield," and 
from this time Byfield may be regarded as its legal title. 

THE DEACONS. 

Who were the deacons of the new church? This question 
has never, so far as I know, been fully answered. William 
Moody, the husband of Mehetabel Sewall, was one. But who 
was his associate? It has been said that Joshua Boynton, who 
was born in 1640, was one of the first deacons, but I find no 
evidence to support that statement. I know no law requiring 
a small church to have two deacons, but the Weston church 
records contain this entry : 

" Deacon John Cheney and Mary his wife recomend d and 
dismiss d fro m a C hh in Newbury (under y e Pastoral care of M r 
Hale) ree'd into o r Comunion Aug. 23, 1724." (" Cheney 
Family," p. 232) John Cheney was a son of Peter the mill- 
builder and owned for a time part of the estate now held by 
Mr. Benjamin Pearson and his family. He was a worthy and 
enterprising man, who made four or five removals during his 
life. This record indicates that he was a deacon in the Byfield 
church in or before 1724. He was born in 1666, and lived in 
Byfield as early as 1693 ; so that it is very possible that he was 
one of the original deacons. This is a convenient place to 
pursue the inquiry as to the early deacons. Mr. Hale's bap- 
tismal record speaks of the children of Daniel Jewett from time 
to time, but beginning with 1723 we read of the children of 
Dea. Daniel Jewett. We infer that Deacon Cheney had as 
early as sometime in 1723 left Byfield, and that Daniel Jewett 
was chosen in his place. Dea. William Moody died in 1730. 
The baptisms of the children of Samuel Moody, the son of 
Deacon William, are recorded from time to time, but beginning 



yS THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

with 1732 he is termed Dea. Samuel Moody; so undoubtedly 
he was chosen to succeed his father as deacon. He served until 
October 4, 1763. We read in the " Chute Genealogies," page 15, 
of James Chute who was born in 1686 in what became Byfield : 
" He lived there more than eighty-two years, an honest, pious, 
sober citizen; more than half of this time deacon of the Con- 
gregational Church." 1 According to this statement he was 
deacon as early as 1727. His last child was baptized January 
1, 1727, as the child of simple James Chute, but this does not 
disprove his election as deacon the same year; but what of 
Dea. Daniel Jewett? The last entry of a baptism of a child 
of his is in 1725. We may infer that he ceased to be deacon 
probably through death and was succeeded by James Chute 
about 1727. Miss Emery says ("Reminiscences of a Nonage- 
narian," p. 325) that the Joshua Boynton who was born in 1677 
and who died in 1770 was deacon of the Byfield church for forty 
years, but the facts here presented show that this statement is 
altogether a mistake, and that he cannot have been deacon at 
all, for there is no question who were deacons after 1763. So 
the list of deacons for Mr. Hale's pastorate according to my 
present knowledge stands thus : 

William Moody, 1 706-1 730. 
John Cheney, i7o6( ? )-i723( ? ). 
Daniel Jewett, 1723(7 )-i727( ? ). 
James Chute, 1727 (? )-i 763. 
Samuel Moody, 1730(7 )-i 763. 

THE PASTOR. 
Now that both church and parish are fully organized and 
have entered upon their long and beneficent career, it seems the 
right point to notice the one who was the centre of the new 
organization, their pastor, the Rev. Moses Hale. He belonged 
to one of the original families of the Newbury settlement, for he 
was the son of John Hale and the grandson of Thomas Hale, 
whose baptismal register I found in Watton, England. He was 

1 He can hardly have been officiating discharge the office in 1763, probably 
deacon forty-one years. He ceased to owing to the infirmities of age. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-1744)- 79 

liberally educated, being a graduate of Harvard of the class of 
1699. When Byfield chose him for its first pastor it established 
a precedent that was followed up to the bi-centennial, that the 
pastor of the Byfield Congregational Church be a college-bred 
man. It is a strong tribute to his worth that his townspeople 
who had known him from his infancy should have chosen him 
for their pastor. He was born July 10, 1678; therefore if he 
began to preach among them in 1702 it was at the age of 
twenty-four. They listened to him, observed his daily walk, for 
four years and liked him so well that they chose him for their 
ordained pastor. Although but twenty-eight years old at his 
ordination he had already been sorely chastened in the loss of 
the wife of his youth, "Mrs." Elizabeth Dummer — "Mrs." being 
a title of honor and not implying a previous marriage; she was 
the granddaughter of Richard Dummer the first settler. This 
bereavement occurred January 15, 1704, but at the time of 
his ordination he was once more most happily married. His 
second wife, like his first, was from among his own people. 
She was Mary, the first child of Deacon William and Mehetabel 
(Sevvall) Moody. She was born May 30, 1685. I have not 
the precise date of her marriage, but at the time of the ordina- 
tion she would be twenty-one years old. It is said to be a 
hazardous thing for a pastor to marry one of his flock, but in 
this case no doubt the beauty of her own character and the 
worth and prominence of her family made the people welcome 
her to be the mistress of the parsonage. Their union was 
blessed with ten children, and seems to have been in all respects 
most happy. Would that we had a picture of them in the 
bloom of their youth on that ordination day. Mr. Hale will 
come before us from time to time while we consider his pastor- 
ate. His wife, although she was spared to a good old age of 
seventy-two years, occupies a more retired position, though one 
equally honored and useful. The record of her death made 
by Mr. Parsons, who succeeded her husband in the pastorate, 
reads: "The Widow Mary Hale, Relict of Rev. Mr. Moses 
Hale the first minister in Byfield died July 17, 1757, aged 
almost 72 years. A Virtuous Woman that is praised." 



80 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 



JUDGE SEWALL. 

Mr. Hale had an interesting parish, and there is material for 
a good acquaintance with some of its people. Judge Sewall, 
although not strictly a parishioner, deserves the first mention. 
Samuel Sewall was born in Bishopstoke, England, March 28, 
1652, came to Newbury in 1661, and was graduated from 
Harvard College in 1671. After filling many offices eminently 
well, including those of Judge of the Superior Court and Judge 
of Probate, he was made Chief-Justice in 1718. He died Jan- 
uary 1, 1730. Judge Sewall was very pious, and at the same 
time fond of good society and good cheer, a successful merchant, 
a promoter of agriculture and learning, and the friend of the 
Indian and the negro. His tract entitled " The Selling of 
Joseph" has been pronounced "the earliest public challenge to 
slavery in Massachusetts." He is best known by his public 
confession in the Old South Church in Boston of his " Guilt 
. . . and shame " in sentencing the so-called witches to death. 
His character is one of the noblest in our colonial annals. I 
have tried to do him more ample justice in a previous publica- 
tion. 1 His home was in Boston, but there was a frequent inter- 
change of visits between the Judge and his Byfield relatives and 
he very often remembered them with tokens of regard. On 
one occasion he sent "70 odd" {i.e., more than seventy) ser- 
mons to Rowley and Newbury; at another time he sent Mrs. 
Hale " a Lutestring Scarf," and to her husband two funeral 
sermons and a News Letter? In the autumn of 17 19 he paid a 
visit to Byfield which is described at unusual length in his diary, 
and may be regarded as a specimen of many others. Tuesday, 
September 29, he writes, "... about 3 p.m., set out for Salem 
with Scipio [apparently a negro servant], got thither in the 
dark." The rain detained him over Wednesday at Salem. Part 
of his entry for Thursday, October 1, is : " Ride to Rowley. . . . 

1 Papers of the American Society of be said to have been established." It 
Church History, Vol. VII., pp. 25-54. was a weekly, and the first number was 

2 The Boston News Letter was the published April 24, 1704. — Palfrey's 
first newspaper in America " which can " New England," IV., pp. 303, 304. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-1? U). 8 1 

Dine with my Sister [Mrs. Northend], and then pass on to the 
Lieut. Governour's ; Bro^ Moodey gets us oysters, Scipio waiting 
on him. I help to gather Indian Corn." His entry for Sunday 
is " 8f [October], 4, Lord's day. I ride to Byfield Meeting- 
house; hear Mr. Payson's son [probably the son of Mr. Payson 
the Rowley pastor], of the Unparallelness of Josiah. Sat with 
Madam Dumer and M. Pemberton in her Pue. I dine with 
Cousin Hale [Mr. Hale was really his nephew by marriage]. 
He preaches at Hampton. By reason of the rain Madam Dumer 
comes not p. m. and I sit in the Pue alone. After the exercise 
I go into the buryingplace, now full of stones and view my dear 
sister's; after I had found it, Rode to Madam Dumer's, and 
lodg'd there the 4th. night." The next day his daughter, who 
was in poor health, rode "in the Calash" to Mr. Hale's, "who," 
he writes, " has a pleasant chamber for her," while he dined 
and "Lodg'd at Bro r Moodey's " and distributed presents, — 
among others, to " the Negro Main and Negro Charioteer 5s 
each," and " 4s for 2 other Negros." The word " calash " has 
been applied to various vehicles for driving ; the mention of " the 
Negro Charioteer " would indicate that in this case it was a 
large carriage such as only the wealthy could afford. For 
Tuesday he writes, " visited Cous. Gerrish, Adams, Longfellow. 
Din'd on Fish [was it salmon from the Parker?] at Cous. 
Gerrishes. Lodged at Bro r Moodey's." Mr. Moody lived 
where Miss Harriet Moody does now, Mr. Gerrish where Mr. 
Lacroix does, Mr. Adams in the house now occupied by Mr. 
George W. Adams, and Mr. Longfellow on the Longfellow place. 
For Wednesday his entry is " Octob r 7. Mid-week. Went with 
Mr. Hale to Rowley Lecture ; . . . Went to my sister's [Mrs. 
Northend]. . . ." In the entry for Thursday we read, " . . . twas 
night by that time we landed [at Boston], having no sail . . . 
found all well Laus Deo [Praise to God]." So ended happily 
the ten days' trip to Byfield. What a pleasant picture of the 
simple pleasures of the Judge: his readiness to lend a helping 
hand to the Lieutenant-Governor in harvesting, the leisurely 
and restful manner in which he travelled, and his attachment to 
his country cousins ! Such a vacation must have been a true 

6 



82 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

recreation. The meeting-house in which he worshipped that 
rainy Sabbath passed away long ago, but the burying-ground 
remains with its quiet sleepers, and, with some changes, at 
least four of the houses where he stopped : those of Mr. 
Adams and Mr. Gerrish, the parsonage and the Governor's 
mansion. The close connection of Byfield with so eminent and 
worthy a personage as Judge Sewall must have kept the parish 
in quickening connection with the greater world. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR DUMMER. 

Each of the first three pastorates has one pre-eminent char- 
acteristic ; the first of them has for its special distinction its 
close connection with the government of the province, and 
this came through Lieut. -Gov. William Dumraer, Like Judge 
Sewall he was not a native of the parish, but he was of original 
Byfield stock. He was a grandson of Richard the illustrious 
pioneer, and a son of Jeremiah Dummer a silversmith of Boston. 
He was born in Boston in 1677. His wife — one account would 
indicate that she was his second wife — was Katherine Dudley, 
thirteen years his junior. She was an English girl, but of 
American ancestry. Her father was member of Parliament and 
Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, and from 1702 to 
171 5 Governor of the province of Massachusetts. So both by 
birth and marriage, Mr. Dummer belonged to the highest social 
position in that age when the aristocratic distinctions of the 
mother country were so carefully maintained in New England. 
Senator Lodge's severe criticism upon her father has been 
quoted, but Mrs. Dummer's education and accomplishments, 
her graceful person and manners, her abounding benevolence 
and devoted piety, adorned her high position. They were 
married April 26, 1714. October 15, 1713 Mr. Dummer's father 
had deeded to him what we know as the Academy farm — prob- 
ably in view of the approaching marriage and to provide a 
home for his son and his son's bride. The mansion house, that 
precious treasure of Byfield, was no doubt built shortly after. 
Mr. Dummer had two residences, one on School Street in 
Boston, his winter home, the other the Byfield mansion house, 




LIEUT.-GOV. WILLIAM DUMMER 
1677-1761 




DUMMER ACADEMY 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17 U)- 83 

but he belonged to Byfield rather than Boston, for he was a 
member of this church at least after the beginning of Mr. 
Parsons' ministry in 1744 and probably much earlier — though 
the records are lost. Samuel Shute, a soldier of Marlborough, 
was appointed Governor in 17 16 and at the same time Mr. 
Dummer was appointed Lieutenant-Governor. That same year 
the new Governor journeyed from Boston to Portsmouth, which 
was included in his little realm, and was received with military 
ceremony in Newbury, probably in the Byfield part of it, and 
escorted to the Lieutenant-Governor's, where he was " finely 
entertained that night " according to the Boston News Letter. 
President Leverett of Harvard College was a fellow-guest. 
Probably this was in the new mansion house, and this stately 
welcome of the Governor of the Province and the President of 
Harvard College fittingly inaugurated that long series of hospi- 
table receptions of the most eminent men and the fairest ladies 
of the province which make Dummer Academy Mansion one 
of the historic houses of America. 

Governor Shute's administration was a continual struggle be- 
tween the soldier in the chair, bent on maintaining every iota of 
the royal prerogative, and the people, who were no less resolute 
in asserting their ancient rights and in particular were bound to 
keep a firm hand on the purse strings. At length the soldier 
grew weary of his contest with the farmers, and in 1723 he 
scuttled back to England leaving the Lieutenant-Governor to 
preside. Mr. Dummer was now the acting Governor for some 
six years. His position was delicate and difficult, for he was 
the representative of the Crown and so in opposition to the 
mass of his fellow-provincials who were jealously contending 
for self-government. He, like his predecessors, pleaded for a 
fixed salary, but this the sturdy patriots would never grant to 
any governor whom they did not elect. At one time he re- 
turned a sum of money that they had voted for his immediate 
need, as being too pitifully inadequate to be worth accepting. 

His administration was signalized by a fierce war with the 
eastern Indians, who were backed and spurred on by the French, 
as a part of their long struggle with the English for the mastery 



84 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

of North America. The war is known in history as Dummer's 
War. While not a life-and-death struggle like King Philip's 
War, it sorely taxed the strength of the province. A large 
military force was maintained and a fleet co-operated. The 
cost to the province was one hundred and seventy thousand 
pounds. New light has been thrown on the war by the recent 
publication of " The Westbrook Papers." Colonel Westbrook 
was put in command of the forces by Governor Dummer. 
These papers add very much to our knowledge of the Governor. 
His care for the soldiers appears in his generous shipments of 
molasses " that you may Brew Spruce Beer . . . which I sup- 
pose will do good both to the sick and well." He shows his 
regard for religion in ordering a guard for the minister and peo- 
ple of an eastern settlement " in their Going to Church." His 
economical spirit leads him to rebuke Colonel Westbrook for 
sending a letter by express when there was " nothing in the Let- 
ter that required such a Charge but it might have come as well 
by the Ordinary Post." His bluntness crops out in a complaint 
to his secretary at one time, " Coll Westbrooks Packett is 
enough to make anyone sick." His promptness, breadth of 
view, and wisdom appear at every point. If we may draw the 
distinction brought out by Ambassador Porter in his oration at 
the West Point Centennial, Governor Dummer was military but 
not warlike — i.e., while whole-hearted in war he did not love 
war: hence he sent commissioners to Vaudreuil, the French 
Governor, that he might live in amity with his neighbors. His 
generous spirit shines out in his final despatch to Colonel West- 
brook. Although he had plainly criticised him in minor points, 
he here uses the language, " Giving you hearty Thanks for 
your Faithfulness Diligence and Good Conduct." In the sum- 
mer of 1726, Governor Dummer, Lieutenant-Governor Went- 
worth of New Hampshire, Paul Mascarene, Commissioner of 
Nova Scotia, and other prominent colonists met the Indian 
sachems at Falmouth, now Portland, and, amid the blended 
ceremonies of savagery and civilized state, ratified a treaty 
whose justice and humanity made it the basis of a twenty-years' 
peace. Governor Hutchinson says, " This treaty has been ap- 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17 U). 85 

plauded as the most judicious which has ever been made with 
the Indians." This meeting on the beautiful shore of Casco 
Bay, a meeting so picturesque in its composition and so bene- 
ficent in its fruitage, might well employ the brush of the painter. 
When William Burnet, " son to the good bishop of Sarum," as 
the broad-minded Dr. Parish says of him (Parish's " History 
of New England," p. 270) arrived as Governor July 13, 1728, 
Lieutenant-Governor Duramer of course descended from the 
chair that he had filled so worthily; but when the new Gov- 
ernor, " disappointed " and " depressed," as Dr. Parish again 
tells us, in his contest with the sturdy patriots, died suddenly 
of fever September 7, 1729, the administration once more de- 
volved on Lieutenant-Governor Dummer, and he retained it 
until a new Governor and a new Lieutenant-Governor arrived 
June 30, 1730. 

All parties have united to praise the administration of Gov- 
ernor Dummer. Perhaps no tribute is more valuable than that 
of Cotton Mather, who would not be prepossessed in favor of 
any royal Governor. He wrote that they were " Inexpressibly 
Happy in our U Governor's wise and Good Administration." 
Mr. Dummer was subsequently elected to the provincial Council 
which seems to have had much the power of our present Senate, 
and this body showed its appreciation of him by making him its 
President ; but after two or three years he was left out because 
he was " thought too favorable to the prerogative." " He 
seemed," says Hutchinson, " to lay this slight more to heart 
than the loss of his commission [as Lieutenant-Governor], and 
aimed at nothing more, the rest of his life, than otium cum 
dignitate, [leisure with honor], selecting for his friends and ac- 
quaintance men of sense, virtue, and religion." In 1729 he gave 
to his home church a silver communion service inscribed with 
his name and the crest of his family coat of arms. A part of 
this service has survived all the vicissitudes of the generations 
and is still used in the sacred service to which it was originally 
consecrated. In 1742 he gave to the Hollis Street Church in 
Boston a large and rich folio Bible on condition that it should 
be read as a part of public worship on the Lord's Day. This 



86 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

gift shows his liberal-mindedness, for the Puritans banished the 
reading of the Bible from public worship, unless it were ex- 
pounded, as " dumb reading" and akin to the use of a liturgy 
or " stinted prayers." It was not until twenty years after this 
gift that the original church in Newbury, for example, voted 
that " it is agreeable that the Scriptures be read in public." 
Governor Dummer will once more come before us in an illus- 
trious manner in the next period of Byfield history. 



LIEUT. STEPHEN LONGFELLOW. 

Another prominent citizen was Lieut. Stephen Longfellow, 
the blacksmith. He lived in the first Longfellow house. He 
was the great-great-grandfather of the Poet, who dedicated 
" The Village Blacksmith " to him. His account-book resem- 
bles in appearance the Assessors' book described in the list of 
authorities at the beginning of this chapter ; its inscription of 
ownership is : 

Stephen Longfellow 
his Book 
July 1 710 

Another similar inscription reads : 

Stephen Longfellow 
his Book Coust 
Sex Shillngs and 
Sexpense 

The spelling is marvellous; "c" stands for "k," not only, as 
with us, before " a " " o " and " u," but also before " e " ; so that 
" Mening A bras Cetel " means " mending a brass kettle ; " " c," 
even does duty for " sk," so that "to m Celet" stands for "to 
mending skillet; " "putting a new eye on a hoe" is, " poting 
A ny to hoo." This quotation illustrates a most remarkable 
peculiarity of the book: when a word beginning with a vowel 
follows a word ending with a consonant, the consonant is com- 
monly joined to the second word ; " an iron " is " a niron ; " 
" an apron " is " a napron ; " " an old scythe " is " a nold 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17U)- 8 7 

Siethe;" "an outer door" is "A nouter Doer;" "an inner 
door" is "A nener Doer; " "an adze," "A nads," etc. 
One charge is 

to Days work my Selfe and 

6 oxen and boys 15- [15 shillings] 

The sturdy blacksmith with his three yoke of oxen and his 
stalwart boys no doubt did a big day's work. The entry just 
quoted shows that he was a large farmer as well as blacksmith. 
Another agricultural entry is as follows: " 1741 William Adams 
10 Shep 5 Eues and 5 wethers Let out fore year for hafe 
woll and then to return old Stock." The trade was largely 
by barter, which the following entry illustrates: 

1 718 Tom Manuel 

to A Sadel 

to hos trases and hames for wich he is to bring 

me A hundred and hafe Rails. 

Another entry reads 

1 7 18 Mr. Moses Hale 

2 pound and hafe of Candles. 

This entry suggests usual light in those times ; it also shows the 
respect for the preacher, for very few names in the book have 
any title. Sugar was an expensive luxury, as a comparison of 
the two following items shows: 

crad 6 pound of Sugar at 
11 pan [pence], poun 5-6 

John goodridg 
1 7 14 A goos that weayed 
5 pound 3/4 cam to 5-9 : 

so goose flesh was worth 12 pence a pound and sugar 11 pence. 
I suppose that now a pound of goose flesh would buy two and 
a half or three pounds of sugar. 

Byfield was not isolated, and the thrifty blacksmith appears 
to have occasionally visited his uncle Judge Sewall, and to have 



88 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

improved the occasion by shopping in the provincial capital, as 
the following entry indicates : 

Sister bettey to A gous [goose]. 

by money Lent for to buy Clos when i 

went to boston 7-06-0. 

It would seem from this that Mr. Longfellow, notwithstanding 
his name, was sometimes, like most of us, " a little short." 
Probably his usual dress was homespun, but he had something 
better for Sunday, as appears from entries like these : 

John Corser 
cradit by 

Brad Colth Cote [Broadcloth Coat], 4 - 10 - . [^4 10s. ~\ 

Johnhathan weler [Jonathan Wheeler], 

A Selik [Silk] handkerchef 7-6 [js. 6d.~]. 

Although Sewall, " who the halting step of his age outran," had 
already lifted up his voice against slavery, it existed as a matter 
of course and appears in various ways on the pages of the 
account-book. There are occasional entries of this sort. 

Thomas Gage 
I7M 



Bouston one day to plant. 

" Bouston," i. e., Boston, was his Indian slave, who some years 
later became his fellow-member in the Byfield church according 
to this entry in Mr. Hale's baptismal record : 

Boston, an Indian servant of Lt. Longfellow Nov. 19, 1727. 

The following somewhat obscure entry shows that buying 
and selling it went hand in hand with owning human flesh : 

"B. Adams Matthew Adams crad for going to Ipsweck to 
by his Ingen garl." Perhaps this means that Lieutenant Long- 
fellow had sent his nephew and next door neighbor Benjamin 
Adams, subsequently the Rev. Benjamin Adams, to Ipswich to 
buy an Indian girl of Benjamin's uncle on his father's side, 
Matthew, subsequently Dr. Matthew Adams, the West Newbury 
physician. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17 U)- 89 

The diary contains frank statements, such as this: 
Johnathan Danfud 



1723 

crad by mosti [musty] Sider baral. 

This is similarly outspoken : 

1 713 September 22 Dek Moodey to A bridel y- you bored, [bor- 
rowed], and worout [wore out] - 2 - 6. [2 jr. 6d.~] 

Although frank the account-book is pervaded by a friendly 
atmosphere. Relations are very often mentioned by their 
term of connection, according to the pleasant custom of our 
fathers which might well be continued, so that one often meets 
with expressions like " sister betty," and " Cos [Cousin] Samuel 
Mood [Moody]," and "Cos Garach [Cousin Gerrish]." It is 
respectful, as is shown by its care to use titles when they were 
due, though it was equally careful not to apply even the title 
of" Mister" to common people. It shows an appreciation of 
education : one of its large entries is : 

November 1 day 1739. • • • 
Cra by money payed [apparently by ' Deak Moody and Dew to me 
Longfellow '] to fraser [Fraser], for School Master 1 - 10 - 00, 

and he had dealings with 

Sister Adams 



for A Speling book 



Whether he bought or sold the "Speling book" is not clear; 
judging from his own spelling he must have sold it, and that 
very early, but he believed in education so practically as to 
send a son to college, and he was a man of all round worth 
who richly deserved to be honored by the dedication of the 
beautiful poem of "The Village Blacksmith" to his memory. 
With the change of a word or two to fit his name and surround- 
ings we may apply to him his poet descendant's encomium on 
one of the same craft who figures in his most popular poem, 
and term this Byfield ancestor of his : — 



go THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Stephen the blacksmith 
Who was a mighty man in the parish 

and honored of all men ; 
For, since the birth of time, throughout 

all ages and nations, 
Has the craft of the smith been 

held in repute by the people. 

OTHER PARISHIONERS. 

JUDGE Sewall's diary has this entry : 

Oct. 23, 1695. My dear 
Mother visits us ; rides behind Joseph Gerrish from Rowley this day. 

This Joseph was the son of Moses and Jane (Sevvall) Gerrish, 
and so the grandson of the Judge's mother. He was born in 
Byfield, March 20, 1682, and would therefore be at this time a 
boy of thirteen. Mrs. Sewall was then sixty-eight years old. 
The entry gives a pleasant picture of travel in those primitive 
days. The noble elderly lady rode on a pillion behind her 
young grandson the thirty miles from Rowley to Boston in a 
day — no small journey, but how delightful and exhilarating 
for those who had the strength, now through " the forest pri- 
meval," and now through the vigorous little settlements of the 
pioneers ; now they would perchance catch a glimpse of a fox 
or a deer, and now would flush a great flock of wild pigeons. 
Probably young Joseph was large and strong beyond his years, 
for he became known as " the big man," and his strength was 
in keeping with his size. He used to swim across the Merrimac 
near its mouth every year until he was past seventy. He was 
a member of the legislature twenty years, and each year was 
chosen by his fellow-members for the Governor's Council, but 
was as often negatived, because, to quote an old record, he 
was " not supple," i. e„ to the royal demands. He is known as 
Col. Joseph Gerrish, also as Joseph Gerrish, Esquire. His 
name appears on our first extant list of parish assessors, that 
for 1 7 17. He probably lived where Mr. Lacroix does. His 
stalwartness of body and soul reminds one of Agamemnon's 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-1744). 9 1 

heroes, and he was a worthy actor in our epic period. He had 
four children whose collective weight was twelve hundred 
pounds, and the line of his worthy descendants has continued 
until this day. 

We learn from Sewall's " Letter-Book " that Dea. William 
Moody was prospered in his fulling-mill, and the diary records 
for July 14, 1701, "lodge in Sister Moodey's Brick House; 
which has an excellent foundation." The Moodys have been 
wont to build on good foundations. From the Judge's entry 
one would infer that the house was then new; its material 
accounts for the large number of bricks that have from time 
to time been found in the soil about the present Moody house, 
which is itself a fine old mansion with a very interesting in- 
terior. This was probably the only brick dwelling-house in 
the parish, for the Governor's mansion only had a brick ell. 
That Deacon Moody could afford to build of such material 
confirms the testimony of the " Letter-Book " as to his busi- 
ness success. 

Capt. Abraham Adams lived where his descendant, George 
W. Adams, does now. He was an enterprising sea captain, 
who launched coasters from the river in front of his house. 
The present homelike and interesting house, which is rich in 
heirlooms, was built by him, it is said, in 1705. His wife, 
Anne, was the daughter of William and Anne (Sewall) 
Longfellow. Mr. Adams has in admirable preservation a 
highly interesting ancient deed. In it Samuel Sewall and his 
wife, Hannah, deed to Sergt. Abraham Adams half "the High 
Field," which still bears its ancient and fitting title, and half 
" the great Meadow " on the River Parker, and other land for 
five hundred pounds. The deed states that the property had 
been conveyed by Henry Sewall, the father of the Judge, to 
John Hull, the mint master, and implies that Hannah, the 
Judge's wife, inherited it from John Hull, of whom she was 
" Daughter and sole heir." The deed is dated June n, 1705. 
The property, while deeded to Sergt. Abraham Adams, was 
"intended for a settlement" for his son, Captain Abraham, 
" who married with Anne Longfellow, niece of the said Samuel 



92 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

Sewall." So substantial a present from the uncle and aunt of 
the bride must have been very encouraging to the newly- 
wedded pair. 

Lieut. Samuel Northend, son of Ezekiel Northend, 2d, 
and great-grandfather of Hon. W. D. Northend, of Salem, 
was a prominent parishioner of Mr. Hale. His name appears 
frequently upon our records. Mr. Cleaveland spoke of him 
as " long a pillar of the church and parish." He lived in 
the house that stood in my youth where Clay Lane (why 
should we relinquish the significant ancient name for Hillside 
Street?) forks into the roads to the meeting-house and the Dole 
neighborhood. 

Dunkin Steward, who has already been mentioned as one of 
the original members of the parish, and who, as has been said, 
is believed to have lived in the Fletcher (Pike) house on Warren 
Street, deserves additional mention. He had been a pioneer 
ship-builder at Rowley, and lived to be a centenarian; being, 
so far as I am aware, the only citizen of our parish who has 
attained that distinction. 

There were Pearsons, busy and thrifty, on the two streams, 
the Parker and Mill Rivers. The noble house of the late Ben- 
jamin Pearson was built near the beginning of Mr. Hale's 
pastorate. It has stairways of solid oak, and beautiful broad 
panelling. Under the clapboards it is enclosed with white 
oak plank, set perpendicularly and stretching from the sills 
to the eaves. In 1902 it underwent some changes, and one 
might see the tops of the encompassing planks where the 
sheathing had been temporarily removed. Here and there 
are port-holes through the planking. The whole structure of 
the house tells of the perilous times in which it was built, 
when a man's house needed to be literally his castle. The 
magnificent elm before it, — once the glory of all the elms of 
Massachusetts, — which Mr. Currier has graphically described 
in " Ould Newbury," lives now but in memory, for it succumbed 
to a great storm November 27, 1898. The house is now in 
thorough repair, and is as beautiful as it is ancient. 

There were Poors near Mr. S. T. Poor's, Chutes by the 




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PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-1744). 93 

meeting-house and where Mr. Peabody lived, and Stickneys 
on Long Hill and where Mr. Dummer's saw-mill is now. 
These were some of the substantial, God-fearing, hard-work- 
ing families of that period, and there were many more equally 
worthy. 

Along the cool sequestered vale oflife 
They kept the noiseless tenour of their way, 

and, after they had in their " own generation served the counsel 
of God, fell asleep." 

OLD HOUSES. 

A number of the old houses of Byfield have been mentioned, 
but the parish is full of them. Among those dating from early 
in the eighteenth century are the Elijah Pearson house, said 
to have been built by Joshua Woodman, who has the ancient 
gravestone (p. 70) ; Mrs. Sophronia Pearson's house, probably 
a Cheney house of about 1700 or earlier; Mr. Asa Pingree's 
house, erected about 1712; and the Top House in Warren 
Street, now fallen. That was originally of one story, and was 
subsequently raised a story higher. Was it called the Top 
House because it had thus been topped out? Part of it was 
sheathed like the Pearson house, with two-inch plank under 
the clapboards, and some of the inside partitions were of the 
same material and thickness, and the walls were made solid 
with brick that it might serve as a garrison house. Its builder 
was probably a blacksmith, for " every spike and nail was 
made on the premises." With its gambrel roof and sides, 
tinted grayish yellow by the storms of some two centuries, it 
was a picturesque sight, and seemed like a stranger that had 
stepped out of antiquity into our day. The last of its life it 
was uninhabited, and by night, as it loomed above the passer-by, 
he could easily imagine it frequented by the ghosts of the many 
generations that had partaken of its good cheer in their days 
of flesh and blood. What a pity that such a house was allowed 
to crumble and fall ! 



94 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

CHECKERED LIFE. 

Our fathers of that era shared the checkered life of the times. 
They bore their full burden in the Indian wars that caused so 
many alarms and hardships and bereavements. They suffered 
from a disorganized currency. They were no doubt driven to 
prayer, like all the neighboring settlements, by " The Great 
Earthquake" of October 29, 1727, which was most severe in 
this region. The terrible "throat distemper" of 1735 and 
1736 more than decimated Byfield. Dr. Parish's " History 
of New England " has a vivid sketch of the terrors and 
ravages of that epidemic. He tells us that " in just thirteen 
months one hundred and four persons died, which was about 
the seventh part of the population of the parish. Eight 
children were buried from one family; four of them in one 
grave." 

INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS. 

Despite all difficulties there was great industrial progress. 
About 1700 Jeremiah Pearson erected a grist-mill opposite to 
where Mr. Dummer's saw-mill now stands; and about 1740 
Samuel Stickney came down from Long Hill and built a saw- 
mill near the site of the present one. He built, also, the sub- 
stantial house in which Mr. Minchin lives. There are traces of 
many other early industries in Byfield, particularly tanneries. 
Business was not then centralized as it is now. Each local 
community was far more independent of its neighbors. 

New articles of food and drink began to add to the attrac- 
tions of the table, such as coffee and tea and potatoes. Mrs. 
J. C. Peabody tells me that one of the early Chutes raised a 
hogshead of potatoes near the church, and all his neighbors 
wondered how in the world he would ever dispose of so many. 
Up to this time the turnip had been the staple vegetable. 

SCHOOLS. 

Our Byfield fathers believed in both meeting-house and 
school-house, though they put the meeting-house first. Four- 
teen years after the building of the meeting-house, i.e., in 1716, 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17M)- 95 

the Rowley side of Byfield had a school-house whose location is 
shown on the map of 1794. A Mr. Syle was the teacher, and 
his salary was £16 a year, three months being given to Byfield. 
In 1727 he had £30 a year and $d a scholar additional for 
readers and 6d for writers. How early Newbury side had a 
school I do not know. There was early need of one, as we 
have seen in the Longfellow account-book. There is more 
evidence of the same kind. The women were more illiterate 
than the men. In 1709 four daughters of Peter Cheney, a 
prominent miller on the Parker, in signing a deed all made 
their mark. 

GEORGETOWN PARISH AND CHURCH. 

Georgetown parish was incorporated October 1, 173 1, and the 
church was organized and recognized October 4, 1732. The 
Byfield church showed a generous maternal interest in the new 
enterprise ; as a church it gave a flagon and six cups ; Ensign 
Coleman and Gershom Frazier, of Byfield, each gave a com- 
munion platter, and — best gift of all — the Byfield pastor gave 
his daughter Mary to be the bride of the pastor of the new 
church, Mr. Chandler. 

COLONIZATION. 

The Byfield people of that day were an exceedingly vigorous 
stock. They not only transformed their own wilderness into a 
beautiful field, improved their water powers, and erected large 
commodious houses to stand, if properly cared for, through 
centuries, but they were continually sending out colonists, 
especially northward and eastward. For example, three, and 
probably more, children of the Samuel Stickney just mentioned 
went forth from their picturesque glen to colonize New Bruns- 
wick, and their father could only keep another child from 
following the same mighty Anglo-Saxon bent to subdue "the 
regions beyond " by deeding him the homestead. Another 
pioneer from Byfield was Stephen Gerrish, son of the first 
Colonel Joseph and grandson of Moses and Jane (Sewall) 
Gerrish. At the early age of twenty-two he and four others 



96 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

led the way for the white man into Boscawen, N. H. He came 
with oxen and plough, the first ever seen there. He established 
the first ferry. Robust, industrious, enterprising, and economi- 
cal, wise, frank, and kind, he was a born leader of men. He 
had little book knowledge or polish of manners, and, I am 
sorry to add, flagrantly violated the third commandment, but 
his wife, Joanna Hale, aunt of Nathan Hale the spy, and great- 
great-aunt of Edward Everett Hale, was as religious as her 
husband was profane. Her daily prayer was " Bless my chil- 
dren to the latest generation." God heard her prayer and 
made her the means of " turning the current in the family," so 
that " her hundreds of descendants have generally embraced 
religion in their youth." Were there space I should love to 
greatly extend the list of stalwart pioneers from Byfield in this 
period. 

Colonization from Byfield was stimulated by the acts of the 
provincial legislature. In 1733 lands were granted to the sol- 
diers in King Philip's War and their heirs, and the first grant 
was to persons in Newbury and Rowley. Among the grantees 
I find at least seventeen Byfield names. It was known as Nar- 
ragansett, No. 1, and it assigned to them what is now Buxton, 
Maine, on condition that they " settle sixty families thereon 
with a learned Orthodox minister within the space of seven 
years." For many years the proprietors used to hold their 
meetings at the tavern of Joseph Hale, in Byfield. This tavern 
was probably the old Hale house, which was replaced by the 
present one in 1764. 

At about the same time " Rowley Canada," now Rindge, 
N. H., was granted to the soldiers of Phips' expedition against 
Canada in 1690, and their heirs. This grant appears to have 
been to citizens of Rowley and Newbury. By such grants 
patriotic services were rewarded, room afforded for the great 
swarming families, and an outer line of defence against the 
French and Indians established. 

The parish sent out five college graduates during Mr. Hale's 
pastorate, all from Newbury side. Rev. John Moody was 
probably a son of John Moody, and so brother of Apphia, 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-T7U)- 97 

great-great-grandmother of Edward Everett Hale (" Moody 
Family," p. 109). Mr. Moody was pastor at Newmarket, 
N. H., from 1730 until his death in 1778. Rev. Moses Hale, 
nephew of the minister, was pastor in West Newbury from 
1 75 1 until his death in 1779, and was greatly beloved. Rev. 
Benjamin Adams, son of Captain Abraham, was pastor in Lynn- 
field from 1755 until his death, it is said, in the pulpit in 1777. 
Rev. Joseph Adams, twin brother of Benjamin, was " stated 
preacher" for three years of what became the First Presby- 
terian Church of Newburyport, and then pastor in Stratham, 
N. H., from 1756 until his death in 1785. Stephen Longfellow, 
the son of the blacksmith and the great-grandfather of the poet, 
was a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1742, and became a 
teacher in Falmouth, Me. (now Portland). Thus Byfield sent 
forth not merely the sturdy pioneer but also the educated 
leader. 

FUNDS. 
The parish in Mr. Hale's day had two funds, one belonging 
to the Newbury side, the other to the Rowley side. The earliest 
record of the Newbury fund is for November 5, 1730, when a 
lot of some ten acres, situated apparently in the neighborhood 
of the Byfield railway station, was laid out by the Newbury 
proprietors "for the use of the Ministry (viz.), for the inhabi- 
tants of the Parish at the falls called Byfield that do belong to 
the town of Newbury." The Rowley fund was the share of the 
Rowley side of the parish in the legacy of the Rev. Ezekiel 
Rogers. It was all in land, some of the land being Hawk- 
meadow,— the meadow north of Long Hill, — with adjacent 
upland, another piece seems to have been " the cross pasture," 
now owned by Mr. L. R. Moody, and so called because the 
generations have gone across it by the deeply worn foot-path. 
This fund did not become available until 1735. Its value is 
said to have been nearly double that of the Newbury fund, but 
through poor investment and depreciation of the currency, or 
in some other way, it was all lost long ago (Gage, pp. 338-340* 
Dummer, p. 15). 



98 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

THE PASTOR. 

We went forth, early in this chapter, from the parsonage 
among the people, let us now return to the parsonage. Our 
material for a picture of Mr. Hale's life is limited. I have 
not been able to find any printed or manuscript sermons 
of his, and the official records are scanty. Occasionally he 
attended commencement at his alma mater, once, at least, 
going over with his uncle, the Judge, from Boston to Cam- 
bridge in a sloop. The Judge, in turn, occasionally visited 
him. Of one such visit the diary says, " drink a Glass of 
Cider." Probably there were other similar potations that are 
lost to history. The "Letter-Book" mentions various gifts by 
the Judge to the minister. Mr. Hale was, like most of the early 
ministers of New England, a man of means. He had many 
dealings in real estate. In three instances he seems to have 
received gifts of land, and he bought at least eight lots and 
sold four. He built the Root house for one of his sons. It 
is difficult to determine his salary from the Assessors' Book. 
In 1717 it seems to have been ^83; in 1729 £125; in 1739 
,£92; in 1741 £100; in 1742 £116; and in 1743 £103. The 
currency was in a very unsettled state, and probably the salary 
was graduated accordingly. No doubt his people were also 
generous with free-will offerings of food, fuel, and work. The 
old-time New England parish thought its minister its best 
citizen, and showed its appreciation in very liberal treatment, 
as far as its means permitted. Mr. Hale probably also in- 
herited property. He had ten children. His congregation 
grew so that in 1725 there appears to have been " paid out 
of the Rate for Repairing the Meeting House and enlarging 
etc., £152, 05, 01," which would perhaps be the equivalent 
of $457.00. The growth of the church was striking. In place 
of the some thirty-five original members there were one hun- 
dred and fifty-five at the ordination of his successor in 1744. 

In his will Mr. Hale bequeaths to one son, " my silver 
tobacco box and Mr. Burket's exposition on the New Testa- 
ment," etc., and to another son two negroes, Hannibal and 




— 7^ ' /; 






/?2coiy c// 

~^e/ok WTZi.Jeii of&c*/£umn Won, 



A PAGE OF THE BAPTISMAL REGISTER KEPT BY 
REV. MOSES HALE 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES HALE (1702-17U). 99 

Jane. A tobacco box and a commentary on the Bible and 
slaves may seem a strange combination in the will of a clergy- 
man, but it did not seem so in New England a hundred and 
fifty years ago. At that time slave-holding was more common 
in Massachusetts than ever before or after. 

He died of " Asthma and Dropsy," January 16, 1744. Prince's 
Christian History, a religious weekly, in its issue for January 28, 
1744, has an obituary notice of Mr. Hale, written by one of his 
parishioners — was it Governor Dummer ? This notice says, " A 
great Multitude from this and the neighboring Parishes did him 
Funeral Honour and his grateful Flock handsomely contrib- 
uted to the Charges of it." The same obituary says that he 
was a " lively Preacher of the great Truths of Religion, and a 
Soldier of CHRIST, the Weapons of whose Warfare have been 
mighty by God, to the pulling down of Satan's strong Holds, an 
Ambassador for CHRIST who hath not only prevailed with many 
of his Hearers to be reconciled unto God, but hath many 
Times been successful in persuading them to be at Peace one 
with another. . . . His natural Temper had something of 
Quickness in it, but then his second Thoughts and Expres- 
sions usually were such as discovered much of a Spirit of 
Meekness and Forgiveness." He " readily acknowledged the 
Agency of the Spirit of God in the late religious Motions," 
but " saw Cause to bear Testimony against some Excesses," 
"the nearer the enemy approached him the more intrepid he 
grew." The enemy mentioned was of course "the last enemy" 
Death ; " the late religious motions " were no doubt the Ed- 
wardean and earlier Whitefield revivals. 

Mr. Hale's life and character were evidently marked by 
strength and beauty. He was a man of culture, which ex- 
tended to minor things, such as correct spelling and neat and 
distinct penmanship. He was a thrifty citizen. His life was 
marked by patient continuance in well-doing throughout a 
pastorate of some forty years. He had the high spirit and 
courage of a soldier: the high spirit appeared in the quickness 
of his natural temper; the courage in the pulpit and in the 
dying hour. On the other hand, he was a man of meekness 






IOO THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

and peace, and a peace-maker between God and man and 
between man and his brother. He was liberal-minded, as was 
shown in his recognition of the Spirit of God in the new type 
of religious revival, near the close of his ministry; yet he was 
judicious to detect the human alloy that marred the divine 
work. 

Altogether he was a cultured, manly, country gentleman, a 
faithful and highly successful preacher and pastor, and a sincere 
Christian — one most worthy to head the roll of the pastors of 
Byfield. His descendants " have always occupied positions 
of the greatest trust both in New York and Boston." 

SUMMARY OF THE PERIOD. 

It is easy to summarize the life of this the third generation 
of the people of Byfield, and to discern some of the links that 
bound it to the past and to that which was to come, and also to 
the contemporary life of the period. The great work of this 
generation was to " settle the worship of God " in Byfield. 
Life also became more comfortable as the forest was felled, 
the stone-walls — emblematic of the character of the builders — 
carried forward rod by rod, the highways improved, and the 
modest earnings increased. Families continued large, so that 
a steady current of emigration flowed forth from the infant 
parish to push forward the frontier. The parish still bore its 
part in the long struggle with the savage, now rendered more 
intense because the savage was spurred on by the Frenchman. 
It was also represented in the assertion of colonial rights against 
British tyranny, an assertion which was destined to be insisted 
upon on the one side, and denied on the other, for more than 
a generation, until at last it should prevail at Yorktown. So 
the young settlement throbbed with a vigorous beneficent life, 
which beat in unison with the larger life of the colony, and con- 
tributed its share toward the movement of the colonial history. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DURING THE PASTORATE OF THE REV. MOSES PAR- 
SONS, 1744-1783. 

Special Authorities : The sources for a knowledge of this period are much more 
numerous than for the previous one. We have in the little book bound by Mr. 
Woodman the record of deaths from the beginning of this pastorate as well as of 
baptisms, and Mr. Parsons was very apt to attach some little note to the entry of 
a death. The church records are extant from the beginning of this period, and 
those of the parish from 1762. The invaluable diary kept by the pastor begins in 
1748 and continues until December 9, 1783 — only five days before his death. 
It is an interleaved almanac and treats largely of the weather, but also tells of his 
pastoral work, farming, family life, and numerous social functions. There are 
entries, too, concerning public affairs. The penmanship is beautiful. The diction 
has a curious intermixture of Latin ; for example, instead of writing, " Father went 
home," he puts it, " Pater went domi." Rev. Mr. Wheelwright is said to have 
discovered this precious record "in a lumber room" of the old parsonage. We 
have a rich store of ledgers. Ledgers kept in the Hale family and now owned by 
Mrs. Thomas Thurlow, of West Newbury, cover over a century. The earliest date 
that I have found in the oldest ledger is 1738. That and a portion of the second 
pertain to the period of Mr. Parsons. These ledgers also contain here and there 
valuable contemporary slips of paper, that were laid in them for safe keeping. 
Captain Joseph (4)1 Hale, who wrote most of the first ledger, was the son of the 
Joseph of Mr. Hale's time, — the tavern-keeper; his line was Thomas W John< 2 > 
Joseph '3). Like his father he lived on the Hale place, by Dummer Academy. 
Both father and son were " cordwainers," that is, shoemakers, and each ranked as a 
"gentleman." Joseph W was a prominent citizen of more than average property. 
His estate was valued at ^1,886 7s., or somewhat over $6,000. His son, Joseph Is', 
the deacon, who continued the ledger, will come before us as one of Dr. Parish's 
people. The Jeremiah Pearson ledger, belonging to Mr. Joseph Pearson, the 
blacksmith, stretches at least from 1742 to 17S6. Mr. Pearson kept a tavern in 
the house where Mrs. E. C. Ferguson now lives, and liquors of many kinds afford 
the characteristic entries, but he sold a great variety of articles, and took many 
things besides money in exchange. He had many customers from outside the 
parish limits — Lord Timothy Dexter, for instance, from Newburyport. The 
Reuben Pearson ledger covers the long period from 1764 to 1 818 —fifty-four years. 
Then at length the fingers that had made so many figures seem to have ceased to 
move. Mr. Pearson lived near Glen Mills ; his specialty was tailoring, and, like 
the other Mr. Pearson, he drew customers from beyond the parish. He was prob- 
ably a stylish cutter, for he seems to have been a favorite with young students who 
wished a graduation suit. Rufus King patronized him. The tailor did so varied 
a business that he might be said to keep a tiny department store, and his trade 

1 Numbers like this indicate the generation, reckoning the emigrant as (1). 



102 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

was largely one of barter. This I suppose was due to the scarcity of money and 
the disorder in the currency. All the above sources are in manuscript. 

Newspapers become a little more plentiful ; Newburyport began to have one 
in 1773, but the space given to local matters was distressingly meagre. Walker's 
"Hist. Cong. Churches in the United States," Dr. Chauncey's letter of July 17, 1742, 
to Rev. Jas. Davenport, prefixed to a sermon of Dr. Chauncey, printed in 1742 
and Dr. Hovey's " The Old South" (of Newburyport) give information as to " The 
Great Awakening." Professor Parsons' " Memoir of Chief-Justice Parsons," Mr. 
Tappan's sermon at Rev. Mr. Parsons' funeral and Mr. Frisby's oration at the 
interment are instructive as to the pastor and his family. McClure & Parish's 
"Life of Dr. Eleazer Wheelock" has interesting notices of John Smith. 

THE NEW PASTOR AND HIS WIFE. 

THE Boston Gazette or Weekly Journal for Tuesday, 
July 10, 1744, is a little sheet of four pages, each one 
nine and a half inches by seven in size, but it is very inter- 
esting to Byfield, for it contains this item : — 

" Byfield in Newbury, June 20, 1J44. This day was ordained 
to the Pastoral Office among us, the Rev. Mr. Moses Parsons ; 
the Rev. Mr. Warren begun with Prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Wiggles- 
worth preached from Gal. 1, 10, the Rev. Mr. White gave the 
Charge ; the Rev. Mr. Jaques the Right-Hand of Fellowship ; 
after which the Rev. Mr. Jewet prayed." 

Thus began Byfield's second pastorate, which, like its prede- 
cessor, was destined to continue about forty years. 

The new pastor, the Rev. Moses Parsons, was born in Glouces- 
ter June 20, 1 7 16. The Parsons family in England was treated 
of in Chapter III. Jeffrey, or Geoffrey, or Godfrey, Parsons 
came from Barbados to Gloucester about 1654, being then, if 
the Kemerton baptism referred to on page 38 be his, some 
twenty-seven years old. Here he married, after a roman- 
tic meeting and checkered courtship, — if we may believe the 
traditions, — a beautiful girl named Sarah Vinson. He became 
a prominent citizen and a successful merchant, and died in 1689. 
His youngest son, Ebenezer, was born in 168 1 and died in 1763. 
The minister's entry of his death speaks of him as " My hon- 
Father" and says that he " had been confined to his room near 
20 months, exercised with great pains, but," the diary con- 
tinues, " I trust is fallen asleep in Jesus." The minister was 
this Ebenezer Parsons' youngest son. Moses Parsons was 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17JJ4-1783). 103 

graduated from Harvard College in 1736. He had the minis- 
try in view when he entered college, and immediately after 
graduating entered upon the study of theology, although he 
taught school in his native town for some years. He was very 
successful as a teacher and proved his fitness to be a guide of 
souls as well as a teacher of the mind during a season of special 
religious interest among his pupils. January n, 1743, he mar- 
ried Susan Davis. Professor Parsons (" Memoir of Chief-Jus- 
tice Parsons," p. 7) gives her descent step by step from John 
Robinson, the pastor of the Pilgrims, thus : John Robinson, 
of Leyden, Abraham/ 2 ) Abraham, (3) Andrew/**) Anne/s) who 
married Abraham Davis, Susan, (6) who married Rev. Moses 
Parsons. Certainly this was the undoubting belief both of 
her and of her husband, and of the great jurist, their son. 
It has been denied in our day. She was unquestionably de- 
scended from Abraham (3) Robinson, of Gloucester; the point 
is whether he was a son of Abraham/ 2 ) and a grandson of 
John Robinson, of Leyden. The name Abraham does not ap- 
pear in the Leyden list of John Robinson's household in 1622, 
but may there not have been a son Abraham who was not then 
in the family, being perhaps well on in his youth and support- 
ing himself outside his father's house? The wife of President 
Webber, of Harvard College, believed herself descended from 
John Robinson by the same line as Susan (Davis) Parsons, 
but her written statement only speaks of a son of John Robin- 
son who settled north of Cape Ann, without mentioning his 
name as the ancestor of the line. May we suspect that Mrs. 
Parsons and Mrs. Webber were descendants of a son of John 
Robinson who had some other name than Abraham, the Parsons 
genealogy being that much in error? The early date of the 
belief, and the high character, intelligence, and education of 
the two families who held it, incline one to think that it is 
" founded on fact." The reader who wishes to pursue the in- 
vestigation farther may consult Giles' " Memorial," pp. 364, 365 ; 
Dr. Dexter in the " Historical and Genealogical Register," Vol. 
XX. 151+, and Babson's " Gloucester," 134+. 

The great-grandfather of Mrs. Moses Parsons, Abraham Rob- 



104 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

inson, whom I have termed Abraham/ 2 ) is said to have been 
the first English child born on the north side of Massachusetts 
Bay, and to have lived to be one hundred and two years old. 
His son Andrew, Mrs. Parsons' grandfather, was a mighty 
hunter, who used to strike out into the primeval forest in quest 
of large game on expeditions that lasted several days, and to 
return with splendid trophies of his courage and skill. He was 
also an Indian fighter, whose daring and cunning even surpassed 
those of his foes. He killed a large number of red men with his 
own hand. Once he and two other men, who were the sole crew 
of a little sloop, were captured by the Indians and the other two 
killed, but he was reserved that the execution of so renowned a 
captive might grace a great celebration ; it was, however, the 
old story of the Indian's weakness : that night all the dusky 
victors, save the sentinel, got drunk, and Andrew killed him 
and made his way several miles through the forest to his 
sloop. He was shortly pursued by a great company of in- 
furiated savages in their canoes, and they overtook and boarded 
his becalmed craft, that is those of them who escaped his 
deadly and frequent bullets as they approached ; but the wily 
Andrew had strewn his deck with scupper nails, and as fast 
as the frenzied Indians leaped upon the deck with their bare 
feet they were pierced with the sharp points of the nails and 
fell down yelling with pain, whereupon he despatched them one 
by one, and shortly the survivors turned and rowed away as fast 
as their oars could carry them from a foe whom they thought 
more devil than man. But Andrew Robinson was not merely 
a mighty hunter of wild beasts and wild men. He was the 
inventor of the schooner rig for vessels and the originator of 
the name, and his fellow-citizens showed their appreciation of 
him by calling him to fill many prominent positions. 

Mrs. Parsons much resembled this ancestor in energy and 
executive ability, but all her faculties were devoted to save, 
enrich, and adorn life, and none to its destruction. She led a 
life of manifold usefulness and beauty. She was at once a 
housewife of rare skill and economy, a ministering angel to 
every sick-bed in the broad parish, and a passionate lover of 




REV. MOSES PARSONS 
1716-1783 



MRS. MOSES PARSONS 
Died 1794, aged 75 




EBEN PARSONS 
1746—1819 



GORHAM PARSONS 
176S-1S44 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-17S3). 105 

literature. As a mother she inspired such respect in her chil- 
dren that long after they had left the parental roof her word 
was law to them. Mrs. Susan (Davis) Parsons was one who 
richly deserved and received the ancient reward of the good 
wife and mother : — 

Her children rise up, and call her blessed ; 
Her husband also, and he praiseth her. 

THE GREAT AWAKENING. 

Mr. Parsons had hardly been settled when his troubles with 
the Whitefield movement began. A half century of " low and 
unemotional " piety had been suddenly brought to an end by 
the Northampton revival of 1734 under the preaching of that 
holy man and burning pulpit orator, Jonathan Edwards. The 
new movement had been intensified by the arrival, in 1 740, of 
the marvellous preacher George Whitefield, then but twenty-five 
years old. The revival services were characterized by outcries 
of agonized souls, hysteric fits of women, and the falling down 
of strong men as if struck with a cannon ball. Heaven and 
Hell seemed open to ecstatic souls and wondrous religious ex- 
periences were narrated. Very severe denunciation was uttered 
by Whitefield against those who did not sympathize with these 
manifestations. Itinerant evangelists demanded of pastors a 
reason for their Christian hope and passed judgment on their 
spiritual condition, and the more conservative pastors sharply 
resented being summoned before such a tribunal. Churches 
were rent and new churches formed. Underneath all this ex- 
citement there was a genuine turning of thousands from sin to 
righteousness and God. It was the greatest religious awaken- 
ing in all the history of New England. As in the earthquake 
of 1727, so in this spiritual upheaval our region was specially 
moved. Whitefield arrived in what is now Newburyport in a 
blinding snowstorm September 30, 1740. As early as Feb- 
ruary 15, 1743, a new religious congregation of those in full 
sympathy with the new movement was meeting in that place 
in a building which they had erected. For three years they 
were " ably ministered to " by the Rev. Joseph Adams, of By- 



106 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

field, who has been already mentioned, and whose pioneer work 
in this congregation " merits lasting remembrance," though his 
zeal seems to have exceeded his discretion. Out of this con- 
gregation grew " the Old South," or First Presbyterian Church, 
which has had a noble history. March 28, 1745, Capt. Abra- 
ham Adams, of the Byfield Church, complained that " the 
Brethren of the Chh are against opening the Meeting House 
Doors to Such men as he thinks are faithful Preachers of the 
Gospel," and on the same day Benjamin Plumer, another mem- 
ber said to the pastor, "I don't remember Sir that ever you So 
much as gave Thanks for Such an Unspeakable Favour to the 
World as Mr. Whitefield." After presenting other criticisms 
on the attitude of the pastor, he says, " these Things with many 
others appear very dark on your Side." A third member, 
Samuel Adams, son of Captain Abraham, said, ". . . it does not 
please the great God to edify my Soul . . . under the minis- 
try of the Revd Pastor of this Chh. . . . Whereas I generally 
find the Lord graciously visits me under the Means of Grace 
used in the new Congregation of Christians." Capt. Abraham 
Adams was the father and Samuel Adams a brother of Rev. 
Joseph Adams, the minister of " this new Congregation of 
Christians," so natural affection may have heightened their 
appreciation of his services. Such opposition must have been 
a severe trial to the young pastor who was not yet twenty-nine 
years old. 

On May 27, a report on the matter was received from a 
committee of the church. That committee comprised, with 
others, Dea. Samuel Moody and Lieut. Stephen Longfellow, 
whose ledger received attention in Chapter V. Of these Deacon 
Moody was own cousin to Captain Adams' wife and Lieutenant 
Longfellow her brother, so that they would not be likely to be 
unfair to the captain and his son. This committee reported 
that the church doors had been closed to some because they 
thought their conduct calculated " to disturb the Peace and 
Edification of the Chhs in alienating the minds of People from 
their settled Pastors." (Probably by pronouncing them uncon- 
verted men, dead men in the pulpits, and those who preached a 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (1744-1783). 107 

Christ they did not know. Such denunciations even fell from 
Mr. Whitefield's lips, at least in his earlier days.) 

Mr. Parsons said in reply to Mr. Plumer's complaint, that he 
had justified Mr. Whitefield wherein he was unjustly blamed, 
as well as mentioned public charges against him of " Impru- 
dency or Irregularity." He added, " I look on Mr. Whitefield 
as a good man and a faithful minister and as one y l has been 
improved as an Instrument to do much good." Three years 
later we find Samuel Adams attending his home church " in a 
Way of Trial " and the church voted his course satisfactory. 
The result of his renewed " Trial " of his pastor's ministrations 
is not recorded, but we may hope that he was " edified." The 
unrest, however, continued. In 1752 the Legislature interposed 
and set off certain estates for religious taxation from Byfield 
parish to the Presbyterian society. Mr. Parsons appears to 
have become a warm admirer of Mr. Whitefield ; his diary 
shows that he welcomed the great evangelist to his house and 
pulpit, took great pains to hear him elsewhere, was his fellow- 
guest at other tables, and was a bearer at his funeral. 

It may be added that another pallbearer was Rev. Edward 
Bass, the Episcopal rector in Newburyport, subsequently the 
first Episcopal bishop in New England. The indorsement 
of Mr. Whitefield by men like Mr. Parsons and Mr. Bass only 
anticipated the verdict of history. Whatever uncharitableness 
marred his youthful years, and however excessive his insistence 
on internal conscious experience as an evidence of conversion, 
he belonged to the same class as Edwards and Wesley and 
Luther and Bernard and Chrysostom and Paul, — epoch-mak- 
ing witnesses for Christ, filled with his Spirit to quicken God's 
people, and to turn " the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of 
the just." Mr. Parsons' growing appreciation of Mr. Whitefield 
shows his candor and his love of the saving truths of the Gos- 
pel. I am not aware of any such change in the attitude of 
Dr. Chauncey or of President Stiles, of Yale College, who sym- 
pathized with Dr. Chauncey's adverse opinion of the awakening. 

Even with the death of Whitefield discontent did not cease in 
the Byfield church. Mr. Whitefield died September 30, 1770, 



108 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

but December 19, of that year, in a Byfield parish meeting, 
" The vote was put whether Each man Shall have Liberty to 
attend Publick worship where he Likes best and pay his Minis- 
ter Rate where he goes & it passed in the Negative." Seven 
years later a call was issued for a parish meeting to appoint a 
committee to wait on the pastor and ask his consent to have 
Rev. John Murray, of Boothbay, lecture in the meeting-house, 
and if he should refuse, " to act further upon the affair as the 
Parish shall think proper." The committee was appointed and 
the fact that Dr. Parker Cleaveland was a member shows that 
the parish was in earnest in the matter. I have found no record 
of Mr. Parsons' response, but it would seem to have been a 
refusal, for three months later the parish invited Mr. Murray 
to preach. Mr. Murray had succeeded " Celtic Tennant," the 
spiritual but violent and censorious coadjutor of Whitefield, in 
Philadelphia, and in 1781 became pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church (the Old South) in Newburyport. So, while Mr. 
Parsons became the warm friend and admirer of Whitefield, he 
had a lifelong trial with the Whitefield wing, if I may so say, of 
the church. 

THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 

Notwithstanding the discontent and criticism and the with- 
drawal, even, of some, in the second year after Mr. Parsons' ordi- 
nation, i.e., in 1746, a new meeting-house was built. It seems 
to have been proposed to build it on an entirely new site, but 
the project was met by an earnest protest and was abandoned, 
and we may hope that no similar one will ever be made again. 
Mr. H. T. Pearson has the remonstrance with its signatures. 
The building of a new house of worship indicates that on the 
whole there was growth and good feeling in the parish. The 
new building was " fifty-six by forty-five with a steeple twelve 
feet square, and a tall spire" (Gage's " Rowley," p. 330). The 
Rev. Daniel P. Noyes — would that so accomplished a student 
and so devoted a lover of his native parish had committed to 
paper his intimate knowledge of her history — left us a plan 
of this meeting-house after it was repaired and enlarged about 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). 1 09 

the middle of Mr. Parsons' ministry. I say " enlarged," for 
Mr. Noyes' plan would not correspond to a ground surface of 
fifty-six by forty-five feet but rather to seventy by forty-five. 
It will be noticed that, while Mr. Noyes' plan of the first meet- 
ing-house indicates but three pews, the second shows at least 
twenty-seven. Besides the pews there were " seats " which I 
suppose to have been plain benches, possibly with backs. The 
ownership of a pew was a mark of superior means and rank. 
The parish records contain frequent entries concerning the 
building of pews, and the Assessors' Book has this minute: 
" The Pews that were Sold at a Vendue in March 1766 at Mr. 
John Frazer's Amount to the Sum of . . . 65-14-8." This 
would, I suppose, be the equivalent of $200, 1 a considerable 
sum for the parish treasury, and indicative of a large increase 
in the number of well-to-do parishioners. The seats in these 
pews were on hinges. When I was a boy the parish was full 
of people who had a vivid recollection of the second meeting- 
house, and I have often heard them recall with a smile the 
interruption to the decorum of Puritan worship when the seats 
which were raised for convenience during the long prayer were 
let down with a creak and a slam at the end of the prayer: the 
children very often officiated in this part of the program, and 
took no pains to reduce the noise to a minimum. 

WAR. 

It is wonderful how closely connected are the fortunes of any 
little community with the great tide of the history of the world. 
Byfield felt the ebb and flow of the struggle for the mastery of 
North America between England and France, which lasted for 
generations. I will not linger upon the war at the beginning 
of Mr. Parsons' ministry (1 744-1 748), although Byfield men 

1 In 1749 the legislature of Massa- law it will be seen that the Massa- 
chusetts fixed the legal values of vari- chusetts shilling was put at three-fourths 
ous currencies. Silver was rated at 6s. the value of the sterling shilling. If we 
So'., the Spanish milled dollar, or " piece remember that the sterling shilling is 
of eight," at 6.T., the guinea was 2Sj\, the worth between twenty-four and twenty- 
sterling shilling is. 4*/., the pistole 22s., five cents it will give us a standard in 
old tenor bills 45s. for 6s. middle and our currency for all the currencies and 
new tenor iij. 3^. for 6s., etc. By this coins mentioned. 



IIO THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

must have had a part in the bold move upon Louisburg, in 
which Massachusetts took the lead, and no doubt Byfield 
shared in the remarkable spirit of prayer, by which those who 
stayed at home co-operated with those who went on the haz- 
ardous expedition, and we may be equally sure that Byfield, in 
common with all the colony, recognized, in the wonderful suc- 
cess of the enterprise, a signal answer to prayer. Dr. Chauncey 
expressed the feeling of Massachusetts when he said, "I can't 
but think there was a special hand of Providence in it." 
Hutchinson speaks of " the labour, fatigue and other hardships 
of the siege " as " without parallel in all preceding American 
affairs." He also says that " considerate persons . . . could not 
. . . avoid gratefully admiring the favor of divine providence." 
He states that " Tidcomb's [Titcomb's] battery with five 42- 
pounders did as great execution as any," and that " Major 
Tidcomb's readiness to engage in the most hazardous parts of 
the service was acknowledged and applauded." Major Titcomb 
was from Newbury, and Byfield names occur in his company. 

The colonies had but a brief breathing spell, for in 1755 
hostilities were resumed and peace was not declared until 1763. 
This proved the death struggle of the French power in North 
America. Byfield was intensely engaged. Gage mentions a 
single company of one hundred and twenty men from Byfield, 
and Byfield names are very frequent among the officers and 
men of various companies ; Stickney, Dresser, Chute, Jackman, 
Pike, and Gerrish are some of them. 

Mr. Parsons' record of deaths contains this entry: "Steven 
Lavenuke, or Duell, died Jan? 1, 1764 aged ab'. 85 yrs. French 
Extraction and heathenish in his education & way of living." 
How did this Frenchman find his way to Byfield? Probably 
he was one of the seven thousand and more Acadian French 
who in 1755 were torn from their pleasant homes in Nova 
Scotia with nothing but their clothing, household goods, and 
money, their houses burned, their farms and stock left behind, 
because they would not take an oath of unqualified allegiance 
to England including bearing arms against their French fellow- 
countrymen of the same blood and faith. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). Ill 

Far asunder on separate coasts, the Acadians landed ; 

Scattered were they . . . 

Friendless, homeless, hopeless they wandered . . . 

From the cold lakes of the North to sultry Southern savannas. 

Something over a thousand were brought to Massachusetts; 
the Legislature did what it could to alleviate their pitiable 
condition, especially that of the aged and infirm ; but their lot 
was a sad one, in a strange land among people of a strange 
tongue and a strange faith who were at war with their nation. 
Fourteen were assigned to Rowley, and twenty-three to New- 
bury. Of those sent to Newbury it is pleasant to find the over- 
seers of the poor reporting that those able to labor " doo work 
at all opportunity when they have it offered & can find anything 
to do " (Currier's " History of Newbury," p. 554). All accounts 
agree in praising "the simplicity of their manners, the ardor of 
their piety, and the purity of their morals." It is not surprising 
to learn that they languished in their exile and extreme home- 
sickness. The worst aggravation of their miseries was that they 
were forbidden to have priests, although they were permitted 
the free exercise of their religion in their families and in public 
meetings. Priests were forbidden lest they should act as spies 
for the French government. Poor Steven Lavenuke was prob- 
ably one of these unwilling immigrants, and what good Mr. 
Parsons branded as " heathenish " was but his fidelity to the 
faith of his fathers. Mr. Parsons, however, says that he was 
heathenish in " his way of living " as well as " his education." 
Possibly "his way of living" did not correspond to Puritan 
notions of cleanliness. Some eighteen years later I find 
Deacon Hale charging the town of Newbury, " To cash paid 
Stephen Lunt for cleansing Mehitabel Lavenook of Dirt and 
Lice." Was Mehitabel, Stephen's daughter, and does this un- 
savory charge indicate her family's heathenish " way of living"? 

Byfield was represented in the fateful retreat from Fort 
William Henry, on Lake George, in August, 1757. Montcalm, 
with a force of eight thousand, of whom two thousand were 
Indians, laid siege to the fort whose garrison numbered two 
thousand, and after five days compelled its surrender. Be- 



112 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

cause of their gallant defence the soldiers of the garrison were 
allowed to march out with the honors of war, carrying their 
guns but without ammunition. During the night the Indians 
got hold of fire-water and at dawn made a frenzied attack on the 
helpless retreating garrison, robbing, stripping, and murdering 
with fiendish fury. Out of two thousand hardly six hundred 
escaped into the forests. Joseph Poor, subsequently Deacon 
Poor, and Jedediah Stickney were two Byfield boys in the 
retreat who made good their escape. Joseph Poor was a youth 
of twenty, and seems to have been stripped of all his clothes. 
Jedediah Stickney's escape was the theme of a thrilling nar- 
rative, which was the delight of my boyhood, as Aunt Molly, 
his daughter, used to relate it to me, when she was past eighty. 
At the first onset he threw off most of his clothes, that he might 
be harder to hold by the savages. A tall Indian seized him by 
both shoulders, but he broke his hold by a sudden, swift, mighty 
back-stroke of his musket, and ran for his life to Fort Edward, 
twenty miles away; his musket, that had saved his life without 
powder or ball, still in his hand. He was but a boy of eighteen. 

The efforts of Massachusetts in this last French and Indian 
war were intense. Currier's " History of Newbury " shows that 
in that town, which of course included part of Byfield, all per- 
sons between sixteen and sixty, who were exempt from ordi- 
nary military duty, were organized to repel any invasion of 
the town. In one of these " Larum " [alarm] lists I find three 
lame persons, and one with but one foot, and another with but 
one eye. In another such company I find the name of " Rev. 
Mr. Moses Parsons." 

The war practically closed, and the Empire of France in 
North America came to an end with Wolfe's capture of Quebec 
September 18, 1759, although the treaty of peace was not signed 
until four years later. Wolfe was the ideal of a hero of War, 
and Montcalm was worthy to be his foe, and the capture of 
Quebec was a brilliant stroke of military genius ; but this nar- 
rative has nothing to do with the heroes of world-wide renown, 
who fought and fell on that momentous morning upon the 
heights of Quebec, but simply with a humble, dusky soldier 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (T7M-1783). 113 

from the Byfield parsonage. The minister's diary contains 
these entries concerning him and the victory : 

Cuff listed to go in y e Army with Capt Joseph Smith of Rowley 
May 4 1759 And set off from home to go to Boston May 26, 1759 
Oct. 12 News surrender of Quebec 
Oct. 25 Public Thanksgiving for surrender etc. 
Nov. 12 Heard of Cuff's death. 

A subsequent entry informs us that he " Died on his Passage 
from Quebec Oct r 29, 1759 between Gaspee & Cape Breton." 
He was but a slave, he had only one name, no surname, and he 
had only one life, but that was as dear to him as Wolfe's to its 
owner; he did his part, I trust, faithfully, and had his share 
in the glorious conquest, but probably hardship brought on 
fatal disease, and he died while homeward bound. May this 
record preserve in honorable memory the name of the lowly 
black soldier, who lost his life in helping transfer the sceptre 
from backward France to progressive England, and who thus 
helped prepare the way for something yet better to come on 
this continent. 

EDUCATION. DUMMER ACADEMY. 

Amid wars and rumors of war our people fostered education 
generously. Gage has preserved (pp. 395, 396) the names of 
several school-masters on the Rowley side of the parish. That 
of Greenleaf Dole is associated by tradition with a motto that 
he often used to repeat to his pupils, " Spend time wisely, your 
good, not mine." Currier's "History of Newbury" (p. 406) 
shows that the Newbury grammar-school was from time to time 
kept in Byfield. John Noyes was a veteran Byfield teacher 
whose services receive a beautiful recognition in the epitaph on 
his tombstone. "The Stickney Family" (p. 104) has an in- 
teresting account of a private school in charge of trustees 
taught by Joshua Noyes and kept in Mr. Samuel Adams' 
house, now that of Mr. Geo. W. Adams, in 1760. To this 
school thirteen persons from both sides of the parish sent 
twenty pupils. 

The educational event which eclipses all others in the history 

8 



114 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

of the parish is the founding of Dummer Academy. In the 
same year that peace was declared, i.e., in 1763, the Academy 
was opened. Lieutenant-Governor Dummer died in Boston 
October 10, 1761, at the ripe age of eighty-four. Although his 
life had been very beneficent, what is written of Samson may 
with a slight change, be applied to him, and we may say that 
the good which he did in his death was more than he did in his 
life, for by his will he left all his real estate in Newbury to 
found " a Grammar School " and that grammar-school became 
Dummer Academy. It is not my intention to repeat the story 
of the Academy, which has already been told and told so well 
by a Cleaveland, a Northend, and others. I shall only notice a 
few leading points, and intersperse some items that have not 
been hitherto published. Before the days of Dummer Academy 
Madam Pierrepont, a sister of Governor Dummer, taught a 
school in the mansion house. This school was for girls cer- 
tainly, whether for boys also I do not know. It seems to have 
been well patronized and in scant quarters, for one little girl, 
Mary A. Northend, subsequently Mrs. Deacon Hale, had to sit 
on the stairs. The late Mrs. Sarah (Hale) Todd, in a letter 
of June 6, 1888, to Mr. Northend, writes: "Was that (Madam 
Pierrepont's school) the nucleus of Dummer Academy? Did 
the Governor get his idea to benefit Byfield youth from her? 
Can you call him up and settle that and some other questions? " 
A curious account of Madam Pierrepont's is preserved in the 
papers of the Academy. In it she is credited with something, 
apparently for December, 1761, and a quarter of 1762: perhaps 

services as teacher : 

21 - 7-6 

To fouer barils of Cyder 12-0-0 

To three Emty barils 02-5-0 

35-12-6 

Dr may 1762 to Cash 18 

Dew to ms Pearpoint 17-12-6 

On the backside is this record : 

Boston December 14/1762 
Red y e allance [balance] of the within accompt in full pi me 

Margt* Pierpo* 



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A PAGE FROM REV. MOSES PARSONS' DIARY, RECORDING THE 
OPENING OF DUMMER ACADEMY 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 115 

An early entry concerning the Academy in Mr. Parsons' diary 
reads thus: " 1762 Dec. 31 At dea. Colman's ab't school house 
and School master." The school-house was a modest affair, a 
one story building about twenty feet square. Joseph Hale (4) 
(Captain Joseph) rented the mansion house and farm in 1762, 
and the rent was " to be used to build a school-house." That 
first school-house was for many years part of the carriage house 
between the farm-house and barn. The Adelynrood has done 
a great kindness to the Academy and the parish by rescuing 
this building from dissolution and beautifully restoring it as a 
little Episcopal chapel after its primitive simplicity. But a 
costly building was not essential to the success of the school 
with such a teacher as they obtained, — Master Moody from 
York, recommended to them b)' Whitefield the evangelist. 
Mr. Parsons' diary contains two kinds of notices — very brief 
from day to day, and fuller ones of the more important events 
entered separately. In his daily record for 1763 we read, "Feb. 
28, Mond. Very stormy." " Mar. 1 Tuesday Dum r Charity 
School begun pray d the r in y e morn g ." There is also this fuller 
notice : 

" Dummer Charity School opened Feb. 28. p d [preached] 
up 11 y e occasion a public lecture fr'm Isai. 32.8 When Mr. 
Sam Moody of York took the charge thereof. Said school 
began the next day viz. March 1, 1763." The text reads in 
the version of that day: "But the liberal deviseth liberal things, 
and by liberal things shall he stand." Mr. Parsons was happy in 
his choice of texts, and never more so than on that day. Gov- 
ernor Dummer had devised liberal things throughout his life, 
and this bequest was pre-eminently liberal, and by this liberality 
shall he stand in the grateful memory of all generations. Byfield 
has a wonderful record for first things, but Dummer Academy 
is the most illustrious of all the things in which she has taken 
the lead. Its claim has never been challenged to be the oldest 
incorporated academy in the United States. It had been in 
operation over fifteen years when Phillips Academy of Andover 
began, and almost eighteen years before the opening of Phillips 
Academy in Exeter. It has bestowed its blessings upon over 



Il6 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

two thousand youth from all parts of our country and beyond, 
and has wonderfully stimulated and gratified the love of letters 
in Byfield. The country parish had sent ten boys to college in 
the one hundred and twenty-six years that people had been 
living there before the academy was opened, but the graduates 
during the one hundred and forty years since number at least 
sixty-nine, besides the multitude of her sons that have studied 
at Dummer without taking a college course. Gage says in his 
history : " Perhaps no country parish within the Commonwealth 
has educated more young men according to its population than 
Byfield." The writer of this history is one of many sons of 
Byfield who would never have aspired to a college diploma had 
not Dummer Academy put the preparatory course within their 
reach. Mr. Parsons did a good work that very stormy day in 
opening such an institution. 

Master Moody was of the good old Moody stock of Newbury, 
the same stock that produced the patriotic and liberal-minded 
Joshua Moody of Portsmouth, and the ancestors of the teacher, 
Caleb, who withstood the tyranny of Andros, " Faithful Moody" 
of York, and " Handkerchief Moody " of the same town, the 
latter being the father of the teacher. It was the same stock 
also from which sprang Paul Moody of mechanical fame, and 
William H. Moody, the present Secretary of the Navy. 
Master Moody was not a scholar of encyclopedic range, but 
what he did know he knew and taught with marvellous thorough- 
ness. He was a strict disciplinarian, but of a unique type. He 
let all his pupils study aloud in the same room ; at times he 
would unbend and become the most rollicking boy in all the 
school, and he used to interrupt the routine of the day, when 
the season was favorable, if high water occurred during the 
school hours, so that every pupil might make sure of his bath. 
He had charge of the Academy some twenty-seven years. No 
portrait of him has come down to us, but we can easily picture 
him to our minds from the descriptions of his pupils; a large 
man with strong features, wearing a long green flannel gown and 
a tasselled smoking cap, with a full assortment of instruments 
of punishment within reach, such as ferule, long flat rule, and 




MASTER MOODY'S SCHOOLHOUSE — BUILT 1762-63 




MASTER MOODY'S GRAVE, YORK, ME. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). WJ 

switches of various sizes, adapted to the boys of different ages ; 
and his five hundred and twenty-five pupils proved the rare 
excellence of his training by the remarkable proportion of 
them who attained eminence in after life. By and by his eccen- 
tricities developed into serious aberration of the mind. A letter 
of Mrs. Todd preserves a pathetic story of his coming down to 
her grandmother and begging a loaf of bread, " and then he 
went back and beckoned to the boys who boarded with him to 
come out and share with him, as he said they were starving." 
But this only illustrates that infirmity of advancing years to 
which we are all liable. Master Moody will be remembered as 
he was in his prime, eccentric and severe, but most severe 
toward himself, devoted to his boys, thorough in storing and 
developing their minds, and watchful to cultivate their Christian 
manliness — at once a pioneer and a prince among American 
teachers. 

THE REVOLUTION. 

The Revolution makes a heroic chapter in American history, 
and the lines in that chapter written by Byfield are bright with 
patriotism, sacrifice, and faith, but it is difficult to do justice to 
the parish, because most of the records were kept by the towns 
of Newbury and Rowley, which did not commonly distinguish 
the part taken by Byfield from that borne by other portions of 
the town. 

The Stamp Act took effect November i, 1765. Ten days 
before, Newbury had held a town-meeting, and unanimously 
instructed its representative in the General Court how to act. 
The representative was Joseph Gerrish, a Byfield man. The 
political sky grew more and more cloudy, and Rowley voted in 
1768 that the selectmen " wait upon the several ministers of the 
Gospel in this town, desiring that Thursday, the 6 l1 ? day of 
October next, may be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer." 
This fast was kept in Byfield. 

But our fathers did something besides fasting and praying; 
they girded themselves for the conflict with the utmost care 
and with equal enthusiasm. The young ladies, as usual, were 



Il8 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

not behind their brothers in patriotic ardor. When they met 
at the Byfield parsonage to spin yarn for Mrs. Parsons, on 
April 20th, 1768, they drank liberty tea made from ribwort 
or English plantain. Although brought, I suppose, originally 
from England, it had become thoroughly naturalized, and paid 
no duty to the English Exchequer, so that our fair foremothers 
could drink it without any derogation to their patriotism ; and 
under the circumstances no doubt it tasted better than the best 
Young Hyson or Oolong. 

May 27, 1772, Mr. Parsons had the honor to preach the elec- 
tion sermon. His audience was a strange mixture of loyalist and 
patriot. The Governor was Thomas Hutchinson, who would 
shortly find the air of old England more congenial than that 
of New England, while the clerk was Samuel Adams. Mr. Par- 
sons' text was Proverbs 21. I. The verse reads in their version: 
" The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of 
water : he turneth it whithersoever he will." " God," he said, 
" can turn the rivers of water into their right channels when they 
have been deviated from their proper courses." " [The] bless- 
ings . . , [of] good civil government . . . [are] like Rivers of 
water reviving and refreshing." He reviews the worthies that 
had adorned the British throne, and continues: "His present 
Majesty ascended the throne . . . amidst the joyful acclama- 
tions of his subjects. . . . But the scene is changed . . . the 
waters are troubled. . . . We cannot submit to shackles and 
chains." This was plain talk for Governor Hutchinson to hear. 

A tender of military service dated Byfield, September 9, 1774, 
and signed by Benjamin Stickney and thirteen others, gives, 
among other reasons for volunteering, apprehension of " the 
Totall Subvertion and Overthrow of the present Constitution, 
and what is most dear Our Religious Liberties and priviledges, 
and Popery Established in its stead." With such fears no 
wonder the patriotic and religious enthusiasm rose to fever 
heat. 

Those who sided with the Crown had a hard road to travel. 
In Newburyport merciless mobs maltreated them ; in Rowley 
mass meetings compelled them "by a force too powerful to 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 1 19 

admit of a refusal" (Gage, p. 236) to ask forgiveness for their 
crime, renounce and denounce the British government, and 
solemnly pledge their future loyalty. I suppose it to have 
been under a similar pressure that Thomas Coleman of Byfield 
twice in 1775 published statements denning his political po- 
sition. In the first he confesses that he had opposed the war, 
but promises to cast in his lot with the country, at the same 
time reminding the public that his father and four of his 
brothers had embarked in the patriotic cause. In his second 
statement he made a solemn declaration under oath that he 
had never been an informer. He took this oath before Hon. 
Joseph Gerrish of Byfield. {Essex Journal and Merrimack 
Packet for May 3 and May 13, 1 775-) Byfield had a very 
distinguished Tory sojourner in Judge Edmund Trowbridge, 
the great lawyer, termed by Chancellor Kent " the oracle of 
the common law of New England." He found an asylum in the 
parsonage. His convictions were on the side of the Crown, but 
he remained silent because his nearest relatives were ardent 
patriots. It was at a hint from Joseph Warren that he decided 
that the climate of Byfield would promote his health. The 
Judge's anxiety for his health was ludicrous ; he used to send 
his body servant, Sam, ahead sometimes to inquire of any one 
that he was about to meet whether he had any contagious 
disease, and in some instances Sam would get an answer 
that was more plain than courteous. His ostensible reason in 
coming to Byfield was to avoid the small-pox, but what must 
have been his terror to find a certain Mrs. Biscoe, his sister 
possibly, who came out with him, struck down with the dire 
disease only four days after. She was removed to the pest 
house and there she died. 

I can do little more for the volunteers from Byfield, who 
helped to win our liberties, than to mention the names of those 
who were probably from the Byfield part of their respective 
towns, and along with them I shall seek to perpetuate the mem- 
ory of the names of such as are known to have sustained them 
by patriotic acts at home. In 1770 Samuel Northend, Oliver 
Tenney and Amos Jewett were on a Rowley committee to 



120 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

devise measures to prevent the importation of British manu- 
factures. Mr., or Lieutenant, Northend, was the grandfather of 
the late Hon. Wm. D. Northend, whose death occurred last week 
(October 29, 1902), to my great grief. Oliver Tenney lived 
where Mrs. Chapman does now, and was the great-grandfather 
of Mr. G. D. Tenney of North Street. Amos Jewett lived, I 
suppose, in Warren Street. Shortly after, papers were circu- 
lated pledging the signers against British importations, and in 
particular " that we will not hereafter use any foreign tea our- 
selves or suffer it to be used in our families." The following 
persons in the Rowley part of Byfield signed this pledge : 
Samuel Northend, Reuben Pearson, Moses Pearson, Jeremiah 
Pearson, William Longfellow, Oliver Dickinson, Amos Jewett, 
Jeremiah Poor, Enoch Pearson, Henry Poor, Abraham Sawyer, 
Mark Thurla, Daniel Pearson, Jacob Pearson, Jonathan Thurla, 
Israel Adams, Moses Lull, Noyes Pearson, Nathaniel Tenney, 
John Searle, Samuel Searle, John Searle, Jr., Benjamin Stick- 
ney, Amos Stickney, Benjamin Jackman, John Thurla, John 
Tenney, Samuel Pike, Moses Smith and Abraham Colbe. The 
paper was called a Whig Covenant. Reuben Pearson lived near 
Glenn Mills, and kept that remarkable ledger; Oliver Dickinson 
lived, I suppose, where Mr. Herbert Witham does now; the 
Poors and the Thurlas probably lived in the neighborhood of 
Mr. S. T. Poor; Israel Adams appears to have lived in Warren 
Street in a house that was burned down in 1795, between Mr. 
George Rogers' and the old Pike house; Nathaniel Tenney 
lived in the Tenney house near Long Hill ; Mr. L. R. Moody's 
place is an old Searle homestead ; Benjamin and Amos Stickney 
were brothers living on Long Hill. The houses of Messrs. 
Frank Hazen, Louis Pingree, and R. Ronan were all formerly 
Jackman houses, and there used to be a fourth, the original 
Jackman house in Byfield, opposite the widow Aaron Hardy's; 
Moses Smith may have lived in a house that stood in my child- 
hood at the head of Warren Street, and was known as the Smith 
House. 

In 1772 Samuel Northend and Nathaniel Tenney were on a 
committee of Rowley which prepared an address to Boston 



■ 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (11 '1^-1"' '83), 121 

pledging co-operation and drafted instructions to their repre- 
sentative in the legislature, and both the address and the 
instructions were adopted by great majorities. 

In Newbury, January 4 ,1774, a committee of seven presented 
resolutions and an appeal to neighboring towns that were unani- 
mously adopted. The appeal rang out thus : " Beloved breth- 
ren, let us stand fast in the liberty, wherewith God and the 
British constitution in conjunction with our own, have made us 
free, that neither we nor our posterity after us, (through any 
fault of ours), be entangled with the yoke of bondage." This 
appeal deserves careful reading. It is statesmanlike. Our patri- 
otic sires were neither iconoclasts nor innovators. They planted 
themselves on their constitutional rights, and they knew how 
to use their Bibles; there is an implicit argument in their 
Biblical quotations that Christ's freemen could " not properly 
be under civil tyranny." One is reminded that they were 
Calvinists, and that Calvinism is of old "the creed of rebels." 
At least three of the seven who issued this remarkable appeal, 
including the chairman, were Byfield men, namely: Capt. Joseph 
Hale, Mr. Jacob Gerrish, and Mr. Dudley Colman. The Boston 
Port Bill, which closed the port of Boston in punishment for the 
destruction of the tea, went into effect June 1, 1774. Much 
suffering ensued, but the colonists vied with one another in 
sympathy and generous gifts. In fact the first contribution 
received was two hundred barrels of rice from South Carolina. 
Two offerings from Byfield were as follows : — 

£ s d 
October twenty-sixth, Mr. Samuel Moody principal of 

Dummer Academy collected and sent to the inhabitants 

of Boston the sum of, 7.0.0 

The members of the Byfield parish church Rev. Moses 

Parsons, minister, sent, 10. 16.4 

In January, 1775, Capt. Timothy Jackman was one of a 
committee to receive and distribute arms. Captain Jackman 
was the ancestor, I judge the great-great-grandfather, of Mr. 
Benjamin Pearson the seventh, and of his sister Mrs. J. O. Hale. 
The year that had now opened was to be forever illustrious for 



122 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the heroism shown at Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill, 
and was crowded with intense activity. News of the battle of 
Lexington reached Rowley the same day, although there was 
no railroad or telegraph, and the minute men marched that 
very day as far as Lynn, and after a little halt for food and rest, 
pressed on and reached Cambridge early on the forenoon of 
the next day. Among those who answered their country's 
urgent call from Rowley were Benjamin and Amos Stickney, 
brothers from Long Hill, and also Jedediah Stickney from 
where Mr. Minchin lives. Jedediah, it will be remembered, had 
been in the Fort William Henry massacre eighteen years be- 
fore. Another Byfield volunteer was Joseph Poor, who, like 
Jedediah Stickney, was a survivor of that day of carnage. 
He now led a company. In the muster-roll of Capt. Jacob 
Gerrish's company which marched on the same 19th of April, 
I find the following names, apparently of Byfield men : Capt. 
Jacob Gerrish, Benjamin Stickney (already mentioned), Lieut. 
Paul Moody, Jedediah Stickney (already mentioned), Joseph 
Danforth, John Noyes 2d, sergeants ; Privates Nathaniel Adams, 
John Cheney, Oliver Goodridge, Richard Martin, Benjamin 
Poor, Amos Poor, Eliphalet Poor, John Sawyer, Abram Thorla, 
Nathaniel Pearson, William Searl, John Turner, Daniel Chute, 
Daniel Hale (grandson of the minister, a boy under nine- 
teen), Abner Woodman, Enoch Boynton, Amos Stickney (be- 
fore mentioned), Stephen Gerrish, Thomas Smith, Stephen 
Smith. Out of a total of forty-one, twenty-six, including the 
captain, one of the lieutenants, and all four sergeants, seem to 
have been from Byfield — probably there were others. 

Capt. Jacob Gerrish subsequently commanded a company 
of fifty-nine men in Col. Moses Little's regiment, in which the 
names of Adams, Pearson, Hale, Poor, Rogers, Searl, Cheney, 
Flood, Goodridge, Moody, and Thorla are found. Four com- 
panies of this regiment were in the battle of Bunker Hill, where 
they had forty men killed and wounded. Capt. Jacob Gerrish 
was baptized in Byfield, February 11, 1739. He was the son 
of the Hon. Joseph. (4) In the following year this Captain Ger- 
rish was court-martialled for misbehavior in the presence of the 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS {17U-1783). 1 23 

enemy, but he was found not guilty, and the charge was pro- 
nounced " entirely groundless," and George Washington ap- 
proved the findings. He was subsequently promoted to a 
colonelcy. He participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, 
White Plains, Princeton, and Trenton. At Trenton he com- 
manded the left wing. 

There was also a Col. Samuel Gerrish of Byfield, the son of 
Col. Joseph, (3) in the revolutionary army. He was the Capt. 
Samuel Gerrish, Jr., of the French war. He was colonel of the 
company commanded by Jonathan Poor that marched on the 
night of April 19. I am sorry to say that he was subsequently 
cashiered for " timidity and conduct unbecoming an officer." 
He was exceedingly fat. Perhaps his obesity accounts for his 
timidity. Falstaff was a fat man. There was also a private 
from Newbury named Samuel Gerrish in Capt. Joseph Poor's 
company. There was still another Samuel Gerrish of Byfield, 
who was baptized August 19, 1739, and who sided with the 
Crown and was in the royal army. After the war he emi- 
grated to the island of Grand Menan, where he was a magis- 
trate for many years. There was a private named Stephen 
Gerrish in the company of Capt. Jacob Gerrish. The father 
of Col. Jacob Gerrish — Col. and Hon. Joseph (4) Gerrish — 
belonged of course to Byfield. He was the son of Colonel 
Joseph (3) " the big man," and grandson of Lieut. Moses (2) and 
Jane (Sewall) Gerrish. He was the representative of Newbury 
for thirty years, first in the provincial legislature, and subse- 
quently in the provincial congress. After the encounter of 
April 19, £ 100 was sent over from England which was pub- 
licly announced in print in England as " for the widows, 
orphans, etc., of the brave Americans inhumanly slaughtered 
by the King's troops at Lexington because they preferred 
death to slavery." (Thos. Hutchinson's "Diary and Letters," 
p. 466). The memory of this gift should be gratefully cher- 
ished, for it shows that the war against the colonies was 
waged by the English government rather than the English 
people. Hon. Joseph (4) Gerrish was one of the committee 
appointed by the legislature for the distribution of this inter- 



124 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

esting contribution. He and President Langdon of Harvard 
College married sisters. Mr. Gerrish was a man of many-sided 
activity and usefulness. He carried the mail on horseback be- 
tween Newbury and Boston. When Mr. Lacroix renovated the 
Gerrish-Titcomb house he found what are supposed to be the 
saddlebags in which Mr. Gerrish carried the mail. He is said 
to have been the Gerrish who taught the Farms or Adams' 
town school. The Kent's Island boys used to bring raw pota- 
toes for their luncheon which they roasted in the huge fireplace. 
At the proper time he would say, " Kent's Island boys, it is 
time to put in your potatoes." One of his daughters was 
Catharine, who married for her second husband Benjamin Poor 
of Indian Hill. When she died at the great age of ninety-four 
and one-half years a writer in the Newburyport Herald for 
July 13, 1827, paid a high compliment to " her unostentatious 
Piety and Charity " and her " highly cultivated mind," and at- 
tributed her rare worth largely to the privileges which she 
enjoyed in her father's house whose " station in life was such 
that his family had advantages of society and education which 
few enjoyed at that early age of this country." Mr. Parsons' 
entry concerning Mr. Gerrish's death reads thus, " The Hon ble 
Joseph Gerrish Esq. died May 26, 1776, aged 67 yrs. Numb 
palsy." The Newburyport paper of June 14, 1776 has over 
a column in commemoration of his worth. So the Byfield 
Gerrishes played a remarkable part in the Revolution. In- 
deed they played on both sides, but the record of most of 
them is highly patriotic and honorable. Would that the name 
might have been perpetuated within our borders. The excel- 
lent brothers Kent of Kent's Island are descended from the 
Byfield Gerrishes. 

Just one week after the battle of Lexington, the following call 
was issued for a parish meeting in Byfield. It is the only such 
call that I have found in all the records of the parish. Usually 
the people would meet for such purposes in their town capacity, 
but in this case the patriotic ardor found vent in a parish 
meeting. The call is so unique and instructive that I print it in 
full: 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (1744-1783). 1 25 

The Inhabitants of sd Parish are hereby Notified to assemble at the 
Meeting House in sd Parish on Thursday the 27 Instant: Immediately 
after the Afternoon Service of the Fast. To see if they will take under 
Consideration the Present Difficulties & Chuse a Committee to regulate 
Matters in time of an Alarm — Which May call for our help in some 
other part of ye Country & See that they all exert themselves in the 
Defence of their Country & if Any should not assist in y- same to 
examine into the Cause of their neglect & if they Should find the 
Cause of it to be insufficient that they expose their Names to the 
Publick that they May be treated as enemies to this Country. 

— Likewise to see that those Persons who have or may go forth in 
the Defence of their Country & tarry any time & leave their Families 
destitute of help Shall not Suffer in their Respective Families & Estates 
any further than their Neighbors in General. 
Dated April 26'.!* 1775. 
Committee chosen Ap. 27 with power to act. 

These freemen and patriots showed by this document their 
ability for self-government. King George was likely to find 
such farmers hard to subdue. They were full of enthusiasm, 
but they were as prudent in forecasting future possibilities as 
they were zealous ; and their zeal had no narrow bounds, but 
was ready to respond to the need of their fellow-patriots else- 
where. The necessity was urgent, and only one day intervened 
between the call and the meeting. 

May 8, 1775, Samuel Northend was appointed by Rowley one 
of a committee of four for patriotic correspondence. Dr. 
Samuel Tenney, who was born on the Tenney place, had 
begun to practise in Exeter, N. H., but as the conflict deepened 
he mounted his horse and rode to the seat of war, arriving in 
time to help dress the wounds of those who were injured at 
Bunker Hill. He remained with the army as surgeon through- 
out the war and witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne and of 
Cornwallis. The following men in Capt. Thos. Mighill's com- 
pany, stationed in Brookline September 26, 1775, were prob- 
ably from Byfield : First Lieutenant, Thomas Pike ; Sergt., 
Samuel Searle ; Privates, Amos Jewett, Jr., John Pearson, 
Benjamin Pike, Thomas Smith and John Sawyer. The Pikes 



126 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

probably lived in Warren Street. I suppose Thomas Pike to 
have been the grandfather of Gen. Albert Pike. Amos Jewett 
and John Pearson both died in camp. Let us cherish the 
memory of these men of Byfield who died for their country. 
Amos Jewett, Jr., had previously enlisted May 2, in a Tops- 
field company. He was the son no doubt of that Amos Jewett 
whose name was on the pledge against drinking tea; so patri- 
otism ran in the family. 

In March, 1776, Nathaniel Tenney and Capt. William Tenney 
were on a committee of safety, and Timothy Jackman was on 
a committee " to number the inhabitants of the town [of Rowley] 
agreeably to an order of the Court; " probably this census had 
reference to the war. The same month John Sawyer and Moses 
Smith were in the service apparently under an enlistment for 
twelve months. In December, 1776, Jedediah Stickney, Moses 
Smith, and Benjamin Stickney enlisted as sergeants, and Moses 
Lull and Bradstreet Pearson as privates, all for service in New 
York. The same month Capt. Paul Moody, great-great-grand- 
father of the Secretary, commanded a company of sixty-eight 
Newbury men in Colonel Pickering's regiment, which was 
ordered to the succor of Danbury, Connecticut. Earlier in 
the same year Timothy Jackman and Jeremiah Jewett were on 
a committee to pay out ^400 in bounties to soldiers "in the 
present unhappy war." 

March 10, 1777, Lieuts. John Searle and Thomas Pike were 
appointed on a committee to raise fifty additional soldiers, 
and Benjamin Stickney was one of a committee to hire £ 750. 
March 18, Nathaniel Tenney was appointed on a committee 
of safety, and Timothy Jackman on a committee which re- 
ported the names and terms of service of the soldiers from the 
town [Rowley] up to that date. May 13, Benjamin Stickney 
among others volunteered for eight months to take the places 
of eight months' men who might enlist for three years. July 8, 
Joseph Poor was on a committee to prevent monopoly and op- 
pression. November 7, Jedediah Stickney was on a committee 
to hire twenty-six men to help guard Burgoyne's army that 
had surrendered October 17. November 24, Lieut. Rufus 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). 1 27 

Wheeler and Capt. Timothy Jackman were appointed on a 
committee to hire soldiers. From a vote at this meeting it 
appears that Lieut. Benjamin Stickney was one of those in 
command of the guard over the captured army. On December 
29, a vote shows Lieutenant Stickney to be still in command in 
the guard. 

On March 17, 1778, Joseph Poor was appointed on a com- 
mittee of safety, and on March 23, he was appointed on a com- 
mittee " to raise thirteen men." On April 27, Capt. Timothy 
Jackman and Dr. Parker Cleaveland were two of a committee 
of five to consider the new constitution proposed for the State. 
This is the first appearance of the name of Dr. Cleaveland, who 
was to be so prominent. In May, 1778, Thomas Pike, Jr., 
volunteered for eight or nine months. He is thus described : 
"age 37; height 5 ft. 10 in., complexion dark, eyes dark, hair 
black ; " the dark complexion has been characteristic of most 
of the Pikes that I have known. In June, Benjamin Pike, the 
great-uncle, as I suppose, of Gen. Albert Pike, volunteered, and 
the same month Thomas Pike was drafted, and served nine 
months at Fishkill, New York. June 26, Moses Dole was ap- 
pointed on a committee of three to hire ten soldiers, and on 
the same day Dr. Parker Cleaveland was put on a committee 
of three to inspect the town militia. July 8, Reuben Pearson 
was one of a committee of three to hire six soldiers. July 30, 
David Jewett and Joseph Pike were two of a committee of five 
appointed to procure twenty-one soldiers. This is the first 
mention in this history of Joseph Pike's name. September 14, 
Lieut. Benjamin Stickney was put on a committee to procure 
ten soldiers. September 22, Lieut. Samuel Northend, Jeremiah 
Jewett, and Lieut. Rufus Wheeler were on a committee of nine 
to procure " such number of men, as shall be equal to one- 
third of all the men in this town [Rowley] belonging to the 
train band, to serve in the present war, agreeable to a late 
order." It shows how intense was the struggle that one-third 
of the able-bodied men remaining in the town after so many 
calls should be demanded. December 21, Rufus Wheeler and 
Oliver Tenney were put on a committee of five to try to prevent 



128 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

the spread of the small-pox. This terror of our fathers was 
aggravated by the war. 

March 16, 1779, Capt. Timothy Jackman was appointed one 
of five on a committee of safety. July 7, Dr. Parker Cleave- 
land was appointed one of three delegates to a convention to 
form a State constitution, as the one proposed by the legislature 
in the previous year had been rejected by a vote of five to one. 
August 26, Capt. Joseph Poor, Dr. Parker Cleaveland, and Capt. 
Timothy Jackman were made members of a large committee 
whose object was to maintain the prices of labor and com- 
modities as recently established, to save the currency from 
further depreciation, and to publish the names of those who 
would not comply, "thereby fixing upon them that odium and 
perpetual disgrace which can be equalled by nothing but the 
malignancy of their crime." But the currency was already 
doomed beyond the power of patriotism to reverse its fate. 

May 4, 1780, Nathaniel Tenney, Dr. Parker Cleaveland, and 
Capt. Timothy Jackman were put on a committee of nine to 
draft alterations and amendments to the proposed Bill of Rights. 
The final meeting upon this momentous question in which 
freemen acted in their sovereignty considering what should be 
the fundamental law of the Commonwealth, was held in Byfield 
meeting-house. Thus while with the sword in one hand they 
fought tyranny, with the trowel in the other they laid endur- 
ing political foundations. They were no anarchists, no mere 
destroyers. July I, and July 8, town meetings were held at the 
house of Moses Dole in Byfield to raise recruits. These meet- 
ings resulted in the raising of a company of seventy-one three 
months' men commanded by Capt. Thomas Mighill. Among 
them I find the names of John Pearson, Enoch Boynton, Rich- 
ard, Jeremiah, and William Dummer, Joseph Goodridge, David 
Lull, Samuel Moody, William, Thomas, and Samuel Noyes, from 
Byfield. 

In 1 781, January 11, it was voted to divide "the town [of 
Rowley] into twenty-six classes, as nearly equal in polls and 
property as may be found convenient," and that each class 
procure a "good able-bodied" three years' recruit. Lieut. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). 1 29 

Benjamin Stickney of Long Hill was put at the head of one of 
the classes, and the summons to him as leader of his class has 
been preserved by Gage. Some of the names with their number 
of polls and the hard money valuation of their estates are as 
follows : 



Lt. Benj. Stickney . 
Amos Stickney . 

Amos Jewett . . . 

Maximilian Jewett . 

Lt. Rufus Wheeler . 
Samuel Searle & Son 

Jedediah Stickney . 



£ s. d. 

Polls. Estate . . 329-10-0 

" " 295 — 12-0 

" " . . 100 

" " . . 36 

" " . . 320 

4 " " • • 519 

" . . 444 



I regret that my information concerning the soldiers and 
patriotic acts of the Newbury side of Byfield is still more im- 
perfect than that concerning the Rowley side. I have already 
mentioned some names of officers and common soldiers from 
that part of the parish. I can add the following: Dudley Col- 
man, son of Deacon Benjamin, rose to the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel. From the old Adams' homestead at " Highfield " 
Samuel and his four sons, Samuel, Elder David, Josiah, and 
Stephen, went forth at their country's call. Of these, Josiah 
became Adjutant, and Stephen Captain. There was another 
volunteer from Newbury side, whose name I do not find in the 
bulky volumes of the Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the 
Revolution ; possibly because he had but one name, possibly 
because when I write, the list has not been published as far as 
"P" and he may have been put down with his master's name. 
The proof that he did volunteer is found in this entry in Mr. 
Parsons' diary: " 1778, Aug. 12 Bille came home who had 
been gone 9 months & taken twice by y e Enemy." I judge that 
he was both bold and shrewd : bold so that he was twice 
captured, and shrewd enough each time to slip out of his 
captors' hands. All honor to this able patriot. Let us cherish 
his name along with that of Cuff in an earlier war, and be thank- 
ful that " Bille " was spared Cuff's tragic fate. I doubt not the 
dusky soldier had a hearty welcome back to the parsonage 

home. 

9 



130 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

The number and variety of the committees and the incessant 
calls for soldiers and for money throughout so many long 
years may help us to realize what it cost our fathers to be- 
queath us self-government. Rowley is supposed to have had 
an average of fifty soldiers in the army throughout the war. 
But many other great items should be added to make up the 
sum total. Those who volunteered not only ran the risk of 
sickness, wounds, and death, but their business interests suffered 
from their absence. For example, Benjamin Stickney of Long 
Hill had become by inheritance and purchase the owner of all 
the fertile acres of the Stickney farm on that hill. He had a great 
family of seven sons and seven daughters, but he was a man of 
war from his youth. Before he was seventeen he enlisted in a 
cavalry company during the French war, and these pages have 
indicated how often he volunteered during the Revolution. In 
consequence of his patriotic expenditures and the depreciation 
of the currency he was forced to part with his land piece by 
piece, and died, I suppose, a poor man. Those who stayed at 
home worked the harder to support those who volunteered ; 
and they did not support them with food alone. Maximilian 
Jewett of Warren Street forged swords and bayonets for them. 
When Washington and his men were in such dire distress at 
Valley Forge, Moses Colman, whose unique portrait is in this 
volume, grandfather of Mr. J. C. Colman of Newburyport, and 
great-grandfather of the Byfield Colmans of the present time, 
took a two-horse wagon, loaded with clothing and food by 
patriotic citizens, from the Colman place in Byfield, safely, 
the perilous winter journey of some four hundred miles, to 
the camp, and distributed the precious contribution among the 
suffering soldiers. While he was there one of his bridles gave 
out and he replaced it with one made by himself from a knap- 
sack. This knapsack bridle is still preserved with patriotic 
pride by the Colman family. 

There seem to have been but few real stay-at-homes. From 
time to time nearly all of fighting age seem to have been in the 
army. Two things aggravated the burdens of the struggle: 
short enlistments and paper money. The raw recruit had 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 131 

hardly learned the alphabet of war when his term of service 
expired. We all know how much this tried and perplexed the 
Commander-in-Chief: toward the close of the war this evil was 
mitigated by longer enlistments, but the state of the currency 
grew worse and worse. 

The New England colonies had suffered greatly before from 
an inflated currency, and at the beginning of the Revolution 
they were opposed to such an expedient, but as the contest 
lengthened and the financial problem grew more difficult they 
gradually yielded ; and every fresh issue only aggravated the 
malady. The changes in the salary of the Byfield minister il- 
lustrate the depreciation in the currency. In 1766 it was ^£80, 
plus £4 iy 13 d "to inable him to pirches his fier-wood." This 
may be taken as the normal amount. In 1778 his salary was 
;£6oo, o, o. In 1779 it was ^1500, o, o. Byfield seems to have 
taken the lead in raising the minister's salary as the cost of 
living went up and the currency went down. Her thought- 
fulness was highly commended and earnestly held up for 
imitation in the press of the time. {Essex Journal mid Merri- 
mack Packet, Jan. 2, 1777.) The same year Dea. Benjamin 
Colman was voted $100.00, or ^30, for two days' work on the 
parsonage wall. This is the first mention of the dollar so far as 
I have noticed in our parish records. The entry also shows 
how nearly worthless the currency had become. The vote on 
the minister's salary for 1781 reads: 

Thursday imedetly after Lecture Voted to allow the Rev nd Moses 
Parsons for his Salary for this present year eighty pounds silver 
currency, the same as Voted in the year 1774 and it to be paid 
in Silver Spanish milled Dollars att 6/ a piece or in Bills of the new 
Emision or in Bills of the Continental Currency in such proportion as 
will at the Time of payment be Equal to Silver dollars or in Indian 
Corn valued att 4/ Lawfull Money Silver Currency pr Bushel or in Rye 
att 5/8 pr Bushel in like Currency. 

One entry of December 20 of the same year speaks of " the 
paper money . . . which is now dead. " 

The Commonwealth was now prepared to build its financial 
structure on a better foundation, but how many just debts had 



132 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

been unjustly scaled down or rendered worthless, and through 
what monetary convulsions and how much anxiety, disappoint- 
ment, and suffering had society been forced to pass mean- 
while. 

Heaviest of all counts in the cost of the war was the injury 
that it inflicted on the morals and the faith of many. The 
injury to faith was the greater because of the aid afforded by 
France. Too many were led by this aid to look with favor on 
the scepticism of their allies. 

Undoubtedly my record of officers in the Revolution of 
Byfield birth and residence is incomplete, but I have found 
mention of one surgeon, — Samuel Tenney ; two colonels, Jacob 
and Samuel Gerrish; one lieutenant-colonel, Dudley Colman ; 
four captains, Joseph Poor, Timothy Jackman, Stephen Adams, 
and Paul Moody; seven lieutenants, Thomas Pike, Benjamin 
Stickney, John Searle, Rufus Wheeler, Samuel Northend, John 
Noyes, and Silas Adams; and one adjutant, Josiah Adams, 
— sixteen commissioned officers in all; no mean roster for 
our little country parish. 

Mr. Currier's " History of Newbury," that did not reach me 
until after the first writing of this chapter, enables me to add 
the following from his list of Newbury soldiers who are indicated 
by the record of baptisms to belong to Byfield. 

Daniel Goodridge, John Pearson, 

John Lunt, David Boynton, 

Richard Martin, Benj. Jackman, Jun., 
Nathan Adams, Drummer & Fifer, Jonathan Martin, 

John Turner, Nath 1 Dumraer, Sergt., 

David Chute, Richard Duramer, Jr., 

James Chute, David Cheney, 

Pall [Paul?] Gerrish, Sergt., John Bayley, 

Joseph Noyes, Enoch Flood, 

Joseph Goodridge, Samuel Poor, 

Samuel Sawyer, Enoch Dole, Corporal, 

Abram Adams, Trumpeter, Joshua Boynton, 

Daniel Cheney, Charles Cassady, 

Josiah Adams, James Martin, 

Joseph Pearson, Jonathan Stickney, 
Jonathan Cheney [drew pension Joseph Woodman, 

when 85 years old], Jonathan Pearson, 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17^-1783). 1 33 

Mr. Parsons wrote in his diary under date of 1782: " Oct 2 
Went down to Nantasket & sailed round y e French fleet." That 
was, I suppose, the fleet whose co-operation had made the victory 
of Yorktown possible. As the good minister took that delight- 
ful sail in Boston harbor how his heart must have thrilled with 
admiration for our gallant allies, and with gratitude toward Him 
who had turned the heart of the King of France to our succor 
according to the text of his election sermon ten years before. 
The war was practically over, although the articles of peace were 
not signed until the next year. I have dwelt at unusual length on 
the history of Byfield in the Revolution because the patriotism 
of our fathers, and God's blessing on their sacrifices, ought to 
be kept green in the memory of all generations of their children. 

THE PARSONS-COLMAN CONTROVERSY. 

Before the close of the Revolution Dea. Benjamin Colman's 
controversy with his pastor reached an acute stage. Deacon 
Colman was a man of decided convictions who at all times had 
the courage to utter and champion them, although he might 
thereby be brought into opposition to his dearest relations or 
most prominent fellow-citizens. If Master Moody employed 
a dancing master, Deacon Colman promptly protested in the 
most vigorous denunciation; if his son, the Lieutenant-Colonel, 
seemed to be falling into worldliness and scepticism he wrote 
him a long letter in which fatherly love and solicitude for his 
immortal soul vie with zeal for the truths of the Gospel. Miss 
Emery gives the letter in full (" Reminiscences," pp. 153-155), 
and deserves thanks for so doing. 

Deacon Colman's contest with his pastor was the outgrowth 
of the deacon's outspoken hostility to slavery in general. As 
early as 1774 and again in 1776 he had published articles call- 
ing upon the people, if they would be prospered in their own 
struggle for freedom, to grant it to those whom they held in 
bondage. December 21, 1780, Mr. Parsons and Deacon Colman 
brought public charges against each other in a church meeting 
called for the purpose, — Mr. Parsons taking the initiative and 
complaining that his deacon had charged him with man stealing, 



134 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

called him a thief, and accused him of offering to sell Violet, his 
negro maid, for a large sum of money. The controversy was an 
open sore in the church for nearly five years. March 12, 1781, 
Deacon Colman was suspended from the church until he should 
" by repentance and confession give Christian satisfaction " for 
his offence. Nearly three years later the pastor died, and still 
the difficulty continued. At length, October 26, 1785, almost 
two years after Mr. Parsons' death, Deacon Colman was restored 
to church fellowship on his acknowledgment " that in his treat- 
ment of the Reverend Moses Parsons, the late worthy pastor of 
the church, that he urged his arguments against the slavery of 
Africans with excessive vehemence and asperity without show- 
ing a due concern for his character and usefulness as an elder, 
or the peace and edification of the church." 

One who wishes to form an opinion on this most unhappy 
difference between two good men should read both Coffin's 
" History of Newbury," pages 339-350, and Professor Parsons' 
"Memoir of Chief-Justice Parsons," pages 16, 17. Professor 
Parsons tells us that the minister invited the deacon to ask 
Violet whether she wanted to be free, and that the deacon did 
so and got an answer that was too emphatic for publication and 
that restrained him from ever repeating his inquiry. Professor 
Parsons also tells us that " when it was generally believed that 
slavery was unlawful in Massachusetts," the minister called the 
two men and the one woman whom he owned into his sitting- 
room one day and there in the presence of his children told 
them that they were free. " The men accepted the gift or 
rather the declaration," but Violet answered in the words so well 
remembered in Byfield, " No ! No ! master, if you please, this 
must not be. You have had the best of me and you and yours 
must have the worst. Where am I to go in sickness or old 
age? No! Master; your slave I am, and always will be, and I 
will belong to your children after you are gone; and by you 
and them I mean to be cared for." Violet remained in the 
family until her death at the advanced age of nearly ninety, 
always tenderly cared for and indulged even in her whims. 
Her funeral was conducted by Professor Kirkland of Harvard 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). 1 35 

College, and she was buried in the Parsons' tomb. For very 
interesting particulars concerning her, see the " Memoir of Chief- 
Justice Parsons," pp. 17-18. Coffin says of Deacon Colman, 
" No one entered more deeply into the cause of the suffering 
and the dumb, and displayed more zeal and ability," and Profes- 
sor Parsons records his belief that he was " a very good man." 
After carefully reading both accounts, and consulting the origi- 
nal records in our church books, I conclude that Deacon Colman 
deserves high praise for his early and outspoken plea for the 
slave, and that Byfield should cherish it as her high honor to 
have produced such a champion of the oppressed. I also 
notice that he did not acknowledge the groundlessness of his 
charges, but only " excessive vehemence and asperity " in urging 
them. Undoubtedly the good deacon felt that he had erred in 
this respect and had thus wronged "the late worthy pastor" 
and the good cause, but he was not the last noble reformer who 
has marred an advanced position by " excessive vehemence and 
asperity." 

Deacon Colman sent three sons to Harvard : Dudley the Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Thomas, and Samuel. Samuel Colman, his great- 
grandson was president of the American Water Color Society. 
Another descendant, Rev. Reginald Pearce, is now rector of the 
Episcopal church in Ipswich, — so the line continues to yield 
good fruit. 

OTHER PARISHIONERS. 

Mr. Longfellow, the blacksmith, was a leading parishioner in 
the earlier part of Mr. Parsons' ministry. The entry of his 
death in the pastoral record reads, " Lieut Stephen Longfellow 
died Nov. 7 1764 of a lingering Disorder Just entered up'n his 
80th year" An ancient bill for dry goods which undoubtedly 
refers to his funeral may be found on page 155. Mr. Parsons' 
diary shows Dea. Samuel Moody to have been very prominent 
and useful in the parish. Mr. Parsons wrote this obituary 
notice of him : " He was one who served his generation by 
the Will of God & was highly esteemed and respected." The 
parish seems to have been favored with a large number of 



I3 6 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

worthy and efficient women. I quote a few brief but expres- 
sive obituaries from Mr. Parsons' record : " Mrs. Mary Hale 
widow of Capt. Joseph Hale a mother in Israel ; " " Mary Chewte 
Wife of Dea. James Chewte — She was a very useful Woman 
as a Midwife & as she lived desired so died much lamented; " 
" Mrs. Abigail Longfellow Relict of Lieut. Stephen L. She 
had been very useful in her day among the sick." 

COLONIZATION. 

Despite the ravages of war and epidemics, the vigorous stock 
of our fathers multiplied so that it not only kept the old home- 
steads well peopled, but sent forth many a sturdy pioneer, and 
a remarkable number to adorn conspicuous positions. Thomas 
Stickney may be taken as a representative of the stalwart 
emigrants from Byfield of this generation. He was one of the 
fourteen children of Lieut. Benjamin Stickney of Long Hill. 
The patriotic spirit of the father beat high in the boy, and when 
he was but fifteen years and eight days old we find him in the 
revolutionary army, and from that time on we catch occasional 
glimpses of him following the patriot flag until after the sur- 
render of Cornwallis. Subsequently he settled in Hallowell, 
Maine, where he was an honored citizen. He was the ancestor 
of a large and influential posterity. Only three days ago at 
a little dinner party in New York City I was introduced to 
a Brooklyn author, Mrs. John K. Creevey, who cherishes an 
affectionate regard for Long Hill in Byfield as the home of 
her ancestors through this same Thomas Stickney. In fact one 
must go far outside the limits of the parish to find many of the 
most worthy representatives of the old Byfield stock and spirit. 
The old parish has been to many a son and daughter but a 
nursery whence they were transplanted where they might 
have room to grow and multiply. There were four directions 
especially whither our region then sent forth colonists : New 
Hampshire to the north, Maine to the east, Ohio to the west, 
and the sunny south land. Byfield had a partiality for New 
Hampshire. For example, William Colman, son of the first 
Deacon Benjamin, sought the rich pastures of Boscawen; 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (1744-1788). 1 37 

Surgeon Tenney settled in Exeter, and John Smith became 
professor in Dartmouth. 

SAMUEL TENNEY. 

Five sons of Byfield born during this period call for pre- 
eminent mention. In the order of their birth they were: 
Samuel Tenney, Theophilus Parsons, John Smith, Eliphalet 
Pearson, and Samuel Webber. Two of these have already been 
mentioned. Samuel Tenney, whose services as surgeon have 
been noticed, after the war exchanged medicine and surgery for 
politics, science, and literature. He helped frame the constitu- 
tion of New Hampshire; became judge of probate and member 
of the national House of Representatives from 1800 to 1807. 
He belonged to various learned societies and wrote valuable and 
interesting essays on practical, historical, and scientific subjects. 
His treatise on orcharding, written for the Massachusetts Agri- 
cultural Society, was highly esteemed. His admirable descrip- 
tion of "the Dark Day" in 1780 is reprinted by Gage in his 
history of Rowley. My grandmother remembered that day 
well. Its darkness and mystery, and the awe that it inspired, 
were familiar topics of conversation in my childhood. Byfield 
lay in the region where the darkness was densest. Dr. Tenney 
chanced to be at home on the Tenney place that day, and 
the next day set out to join his regiment in New Jersey. Dr. 
Tenney's sister Lois, Mrs. Joseph Pike, was my great-grand- 
mother, and he was known in our family as " Uncle Doctor." 
He lived until 18 16, when my mother was in her tenth year. I 
have often heard her tell how " Uncle Doctor " and wife used 
to drive down from Exeter in the winter in a sleigh, covered, I 
think, and drawn by a pair of horses, and visit six weeks with 
their relatives. In due time the Stickneys would repay the visit 
with one of equal length ; and yet some people think that our 
fathers did not have any good times ! By rare good fortune I 
came upon a picture of Doctor Tenney in the possession of Mrs. 
Everett Cutler of Wakefield, Mass., who kindly loaned it for 
reproduction in this book. Mrs. Cutler's grandmother, Sarah 
(Tenney) Cheney, was the youngest sister of Doctor Tenney. 



138 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

THEOPHILUS PARSONS. 

Theophilus Parsons was the son of the minister, and was 
born in the old parsonage. His father's entry of his baptism is 
under the heading 1750, and reads: "Theophilus Parsons (y e 
2 and) my 4th son Feb. 18." Judge Parsons is the only native 
of Byfield whose life has been written in full, and that fact may 
indicate his pre-eminence among all the children of the ancient 
parish. Much of this sketch is drawn from that memoir. One 
who knew him in his childhood said of him " He was always 
playing harder and studying harder than any other boy, and 
which he did the hardest I do not know." The child was father 
of the man. After his graduation from Harvard by singular con- 
verging Providences he enjoyed the instructions of Judge Trow- 
bridge in his father's house and the use of the Judge's library, 
which was the best in New England. Long years after, when he 
had worsted Alexander Hamilton in a case in court, Hamilton 
asked him how he came to be so well posted on a certain point 
that came up, and he replied that he made a brief of the authori- 
ties upon that point when he was a student with Judge Trow- 
bridge. Excessive study brought on bleeding at the lungs, and 
he seemed far gone with consumption at twenty-seven, but his wise 
mother told him to mount the old family horse and ride until he 
was well. The first day he was so weak that he could only ride 
seven miles, and that at a walk, but as he rode his strength in- 
creased day by day until he could ride more hours than the 
horse could carry him, and so when his horse was tired he 
walked, and when at length he returned he was in good health. 

In 1778 a constitution was proposed by the legislature for 
Massachusetts, and a convention met in Ipswich to consider it. 
This convention condemned it very strongly, principally because 
the government which it would set up would be very weak. 
The statement published by this convention is known as " the 
Essex Result." It was very influential in securing the decisive 
rejection of the proposed constitution. Theophilus Parsons 
wrote that " Result," though he had but just entered his twenty- 
ninth year. When the Massachusetts constitution was framed 




SAMUEL WEBBER 
1760-1810 

President of Harvard University, 1S06-1S10 





ELIPHALET PEARSON, LL.D. 
1 752-1826 



CHIEF-JUSTICE THEOPHILUS PARSONS 
1750-1813 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (1744-1783). 139 

in 1780, although Mr. Parsons was but thirty years old, " many 
of the most important articles were of his draft," and he was 
regarded as its chief author. When the new national constitu- 
tion was under consideration in the Massachusetts convention of 
1788, and the question whether it should be accepted or rejected 
trembled in the balance, Mr. Parsons moved its ratification, and 
Chief-Justice Parker pronounced him " the master spirit of that 
assembly." He was already recognized as the leading member 
of the bar. Mr. Parsons was appointed Chief-Justice in 1806 
and accepted the appointment, thereby exchanging an income 
at the bar of about ten thousand dollars for a salary of twelve 
hundred and thirty-three dollars. He made the sacrifice in the 
hope of improving the judiciary, where delays were at that time 
very protracted. His work as Chief-Justice fully realized the 
high expectations of the people, and although individual 
lawyers were at times exasperated to be relentlessly cut short as 
they were by him, his justice and ability and never-failing good 
humor won the heartiest consideration from the bar as a whole. 
The State showed its appreciation of his services by raising his 
salary first to twenty-five hundred dollars and then to thirty-five 
hundred. Judge Story said of him, in view of his entire career, 
that he was " a head and shoulders taller than any other man 
in the whole State." Chief-Justice Parker said of Mr. Parsons' 
most eminent contemporaries, " They were great men; he was a 
wonderful man," and that " for more than thirty years " he was 
" acknowledged the great man of his time." Oliver Wendell 
Holmes said that his father-in-law, Judge Jackson, regarded 
Mr. Parsons as " the one great man whom he had met with and 
known." Fisher Ames called him, " our Ajax." 

He had a passion for knowledge. He collected a library of 
over six thousand volumes, most of them imported; his special- 
ties were Greek, the natural sciences, and mathematics. His 
wit was quick and keen and inexhaustible, but genial ; he was 
the soul of kindness, would never take a fee of a widow or a 
minister, shunned notoriety, and looked down on no one. He 
loved his home better than any other place, and was always 
there when evening came, and his great extension table that 



140 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

would seat thirty was often full. I am sorry to add that he was 
" wholly unconcerned as to the color, quality, and condition of 
his wardrobe," hated exercise, was a slave to tobacco, lived 
highly, and drank freely after the custom of his day. He 
regularly replenished his case with five hundred cigars when 
setting out on a circuit; he also chewed, and took snuff; but 
toward the close of his life, finding his health impaired, he quit 
tobacco and drank very little. When he died Chief-Justice 
Parker, from whose address I have already quoted, said, re- 
ferring to his active mind and sedentary habits, that he " should 
have lived to the age of sixty-three is rather a matter of as- 
tonishment than that he should then have died." In religion 
he was not a Calvinist, but he kept the Sabbath strictly, chang- 
ing all his course of reading on that day and requiring his 
family to do the same. In his later years he joined the church. 
His pastor said that in his last illness his trust was " in the 
pardoning mercy of God declared by his Son to penitent men," 
and that he invariably asked prayers that he might be sub- 
missive in life and death. He solemnly declared two days 
before his death, " I could as soon doubt of the existence of 
God himself as of the truth of the Christian religion." After 
he had been silent for some time and his family had| given up 
hope of hearing the loved voice again, he suddenly revived and 
said, " Gentlemen of the jury, the case is closed and in your 
hands. You will please retire and agree upon your verdict." 
These were his last words. 

He was six feet tall and had an eye that seemed to read one's 
inmost soul. The portrait of him which is given in this book 
was presented by him to the mother of Mrs. Forbes. Such in 
most meagre outline was the great Theophilus Parsons. His 
posterity has been distinguished. His son Theophilus was an 
eminent professor of law in Harvard, and his granddaughter 
Emily Elizabeth was a most devoted and efficient hospital 
nurse during the Civil War, and the founder of the Cambridge 
Hospital. Her memoir, written by her father, is very touching 
and inspiring. The Parsons stock still gives promise of dis- 
tinguished usefulness in the future. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (1744-1783). 141 

JOHN SMITH. 

John Smith, who was baptized December 15, 1 75 1 , was born 
in the house where Mr. Frank Hazen lives. His father was a 
chair-maker. He put his son under Master Moody's tuition as 
soon as the boy could appreciate such a privilege. Young 
John used to learn his lessons by pine-knots, sitting in the 
huge fireplace where he could look up at the stars. He 
planned to go to far-away Yale, but a great treat came to him 
in his twentieth year that determined all his after life; for his 
teacher invited him in the month of August to accompany him 
on the wild journey up through the primeval forest, in the 
retinue of Governor Wentworth, to Dartmouth's first commence- 
ment. It was a wonderful event for the infant college, and was 
celebrated by the roasting of an ox at the cost of the generous 
Governor. Master Moody's wit and stories added zest to the 
journey and the festivities. The result for young Smith was 
that he entered the Junior class of Dartmouth, was graduated 
there in 1773, became the first professor in the college, and 
there labored, except as briefly interrupted by the war, until his 
death in 1809. In his Junior year he read all the Hebrew Bible, 
most of it twice. He published Latin, Hebrew, and Greek 
grammars. Three editions of the Latin Grammar were called 
for. He did not merely absorb languages, but investigated the 
nature of language and introduced a new method into his gram- 
mars. He was also college librarian, and he and his wife kept 
the college bookstore ; he was at the same time a preacher and 
the pastor of the college church, and his ministerial work was 
richly owned of God. His first wife was Mary Cleaveland, 
daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Cleaveland of Gloucester. She 
was a young lady of great beauty and attractiveness, but her 
charms did not long grace " the wild woods of Hanover," for 
this flower of the wilderness was cut down in her twenty-fifth 
year. John Law Olmstead is the descendant of Professor 
Smith and Mary Cleaveland. His second wife was Susan 
Mason, daughter of Col. David Mason of Boston. " Her name 
at first was Sukie ; when she joined the church it was Susan; in 



H2 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

her old age it was Susannah; what it is in heaven I do not 
know," said Rev. Dr. Leeds of Hanover in conversation with the 
author. She went from her home in the centre of New Eng- 
land's wealth and culture on horseback along a blazed path 
through the forest to Hanover for her wedding journey, and 
subsequently repeated the romantic trip five times. She lived 
until 1845 an d left a memoir of her husband in manuscript. 
This memoir may be in existence, but I have failed to find it, 
and so have the college authorities of Dartmouth, who have 
kindly searched the college archives for it. As I write there 
lies before me, on paper yellow with age, a letter kindly loaned 
me by the owner, Mr. Samuel T. Poor, which was written to his 
great-grandfather, Capt. Joseph Poor, in 1784, by Professor 
Smith. This letter shows his generous thoughtfulness for two 
maiden aunts. Professor Smith was not only a great scholar, 
he was remarkably pure, modest, and unselfish, — a most lov- 
able Christian ; his name will always be a treasure to the parish 
that gave him birth. 



ELIPHALET PEARSON. 

Eliphalet Pearson was born near the station, in the house now 
occupied by Mr. Albion Witham. He was baptized June 7, 
1752. He fitted for college under Master Moody, and walked 
back and forth each day the more than three miles which 
separated his father's house from the Academy, largely pre- 
paring for his recitations while on the road. He and Theophilus 
Parsons were classmates in Harvard, and at their graduation in 
1773 had a dispute on the African slave-trade, which awakened 
so great admiration that it was published. Shortly after his 
graduation young Pearson taught a grammar-school in An- 
dover. At the same time he studied theology and became an 
effective preacher, although he was never settled. In 1775 we 
find him superintending the manufacture of gunpowder in the 
same town for the patriot army. The need was pressing and 
the floors of old barns and sheds were pulled up to get salt- 
petre from underneath, and the mill was run night and day 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 143 

including Sundays. In 1778 he became the first Principal of 
Phillips Academy in Andover, and retained the position until 
1786, when he was elected Professor of Hebrew and other 
oriental languages in his Alma Mater. Here he served with 
distinction for twenty years. He was perhaps most noted as a 
literary critic. He boasted that he had driven bombast out of 
the college. Both Yale and Princeton recognized his eminence 
as a scholar and teacher by giving him the degree of LL.D. in 
1802. He was Samuel Webber's principal competitor for the 
office of President in 1806, both being Byfield boys, and when 
Mr. Webber was chosen Dr. Pearson resigned. He forthwith 
devoted all of his immense energy and ability to the foundation 
of a Theological Seminary in Andover. This institution was 
understood to be the opposite of Harvard College in theology. 
Dr. Pearson's many-sided ability shone conspicuously in this 
work as founder and organizer. He is even said to have 
selected the commanding site and to have laid out the grounds. 
It is to him that the Seminary owes the terraces, walks, and 
avenues, and the lines of noble elms, that make the spot so 
lovely in its June anniversary. He was the first professor in the 
Seminary, but he resigned after one year. " I suppose," Pro- 
fessor Park wrote me shortly before his death, "that he left the 
Seminary through dissatisfaction with Dr. Woods." Professor 
Park defined him as an " old-fashioned New England Calvinist, 
as distinguished from the Scotch Calvinists of his day and in 
opposition to the more extreme Calvinism of the Hopkinsians." 
The modifications which Dr. Pearson's religious views under- 
went are interesting. Professor Park says in the same letter: 
" Some of the opposers of the Andover Seminary Creed con- 
tend that Dr. Pearson would never have signed that creed. 
Mr. Farrer [Treasurer of the Seminary and Dr. Pearson's 
intimate friend] contended that he would have signed it at the 
height of the Unitarian controversy, but that in his old age, after 
his mind had failed, he might have wavered in regard to it. An 
aged Unitarian minister told me that Calvinism ' tasted sweeter' 
to Dr. Pearson at the opening of the Seminary than it ever did 
before or since." May not his recent defeat at Harvard have 



144 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

temporarily accentuated Dr. Pearson's Calvinism? He died 
September 12, 1826, while on a visit to a married daughter in 
Greenland, N. H. In 1900 I visited his grave in Greenland 
cemetery. It is a solitary grave inclosed by a plain iron fence. 
On the fence is a small brass tablet, closely engraved with his 
many honors and offices, all being overshadowed by lofty pines 
apparently of nature's own planting. Such a grave is in keeping 
with the simplicity and strength of his character. His mind 
has been described as " imperial and imperious," nevertheless 
there was underneath a current of warm Christian kindness that 
ever and anon would break out in the beautiful treatment of 
some sick or wayward pupil. For instance, if he was obliged 
to leave the school-room when he taught the Academy, he would 
put the room in charge of a monitor, and on his return receive a 
report of the behavior of the pupils. On one such occasion he 
found that a boy had left his seat and taken the Preceptor's desk. 
He called him up and something like this conversation ensued : 
"Jack, have you been out of your place? " " Yes, sir." "What 
did you do when you got out of it?" "I made up faces and 
made signs to the boys." " Monitor, did Jack do all this? " " I 
did not see him, sir." "I forgive you, Jack, because you have 
told the truth. I love an open mind. I shall not punish you, but 
you must not do the same thing again." He took thought for 
the souls as well as for the minds of his pupils and used to urge 
upon them the habit of secret prayer. Dr. Pearson was a man 
who "did things," one who might well have found a place 
among Carlyle's Heroes. Professor Park was urgent for a 
bronze statue of him to stand in front of Phillips Academy. 
This were well, but he already has a nobler monument in the 
Academy and the Seminary. Professor Park had a trunk full 
of Pearson papers, and always wanted to write the life of the 
great educator. Would that he might have carried out this 
work ! Somebody, first of all some one of the Andover scholars 
ought to write that life. It would make a fitting companion to 
the memoir of Dr. Pearson's fellow-parishioner and classmate, 
Theophilus Parsons. The late lamented Dr. Bancroft of Phillips 
Academy, to whom I am much indebted in what I have written 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 145 

of Dr. Pearson, wrote of him fourteen years ago : " He seems 
to me a man not simply great, but very great." 



SAMUEL WEBBER. 

Mr. Parsons thus entered the baptism of President Webber: 

1760 
Samuel, of Jno. Webber, Jan. 20. 

Samuel Webber is said to have been born on the Caldwell 
place. When he was ten years old the family removed to 
Hopkinton, N. H. For this reason few traditions have been 
handed down about him in the parish of his birth. He had 
begun to study with Master Moody, but his father was in 
humble circumstances and either did not appreciate a liberal 
education or did not think that he could afford to give one to 
his son, and so until he had almost reached manhood Samuel 
seemed likely to follow the plough to the end of his life — an 
honorable calling, but he was fitted for something rarer, for 

Fair science frowned not on his humble birth. 

The minister of Hopkinton at that time was a Mr. Fletcher — 
presumably a faithful and successful pastor, but all unknown to 
fame save that he saw the choice gifts of this farmer youth and 
at length persuaded his father to permit him to pursue his 
studies. Mr. Fletcher himself superintended those studies, and 
within a few months young Webber was fitted for Harvard. 
Mr. Webber always cherished the memory of this humble 
country pastor, to whom he owed so much, with the warmest 
gratitude. He entered in 1780, being twenty years old, an age 
at which many were graduated at that time, but he took the 
highest rank in scholarship, notwithstanding his early disad- 
vantages. After his graduation he remained in the college and 
studied theology, and had begun to preach, when in the year 
1786 he was recalled to Dummer to be Master Moody's assist- 
ant. He there won the hearts of Master, Trustees, pupils, and 
neighbors, for his rare qualifications of mind and heart, all made 
the more winsome by his great modesty, but the times were 

10 



146 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

bad financially and he resigned and returned to his father's 
house in Hopkinton, and resumed his divinity studies, preaching 
as he had opportunity. Meanwhile Master Moody wrote an 
exceedingly eulogistic letter in his behalf to the President of 
Harvard College. The letter is so interesting in itself, and the 
literary remains of Master Moody are so few, that I print it in 
the Appendix, although possibly it shows that decline of his 
mental powers which made it best that the great teacher should 
lay down his sceptre only three years later. It certainly shows 
that spirit of fulsome flattery which according to J. Q. Adams' 
diary marked Master Moody's later years. While Master 
Moody expressed an extravagant admiration for his young 
assistant he wanted to be fair, and so he wrote : " He is incident 
to Reverie and Brown Studies. I have often, when his classes 
in the languages were around him, surprised him Absent and 
in another World, but never have catched him a wool gathering 
with his Mathematical Pupils ; here he is ever alive, awake and 
alert — Mathematics are, I think, his peculiar genius. They 
are a high luxury to him. Here he (I had like to have said) 
revels and riots wanton and unbounded." Probably as a result 
of his Principal's recommendation, Mr. Webber was called to be 
tutor in Harvard. He gave so great satisfaction that in 1789 
he was made Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural 
Philosophy. He filled this position with distinguished success 
and usefulness for seventeen years. During this period he 
published a text-book in philosophy which was introduced 
into kindred institutions. He also had the high honor to be 
appointed by the United States government to determine by 
astronomical calculations the true boundary between the United 
States and British America. It was with reluctance that he 
exchanged the professor's chair, which was so congenial to him 
and in which he had won such distinction, for the arduous duties 
of the President of the College in 1806, but the same qualities 
of mind and heart which had made his professorship so emi- 
nently successful shone out in the more conspicuous position. 
He was but forty-six years old, and a long career of very un- 
usual influence and usefulness as President seemed opening 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). 147 

before him, but it was not so ordered. Only four years later, 
in his fifty-first year, while stooping to pick up a pin he died 
of apoplexy. His death was probably hastened by over-work 
and by confinement within doors, which wore upon this son of 
the soil, and also by the death of his eldest son the year before. 
In theology President Webber represented that wing of the 
Congregational communion which shortly developed into the 
Unitarian body. His election over Dr. Pearson was recognized 
as the victory of that party. President Webber's character 
was full of beauty. His wisdom equalled his learning, and 
his dignity and enthusiasm were blended with gentleness and 
patience. In the domestic relations he was particularly de- 
voted and beloved. His parents were richly repaid for letting 
him leave the farm by the grateful tenderness with which he 
cared for their declining years. He has a numerous posterity 
of worth and prominence, to one of whom, Mr. William O. 
Webber of Boston, I am greatly indebted for facts and docu- 
ments pertaining to the family of their noble ancestor. I have 
also drawn largely from Professor Ware's Eulogy upon Presi- 
dent Webber. 

The remarkable number of great men who have sprung from 
the country parishes of New England is well known. Those 
frugal and hard-working, thoughtful and God-fearing communi- 
ties have had wonderful potency in our national history, but I 
think few of them ever produced within twelve years five names 
to match those of the scientist and statesman Samuel Tenney, 
the great teachers John Smith, Samuel Webber, and Eliphalet 
Pearson, and the jurist Chief-Justice Theophilus Parsons. All 
of these were baptized by Mr. Parsons between November 20, 
1748, and January 20, 1760. Of these, Theophilus Parsons 
sprang from an ancient and eminent family, but the other four 
were from the common people, but common people of the 
uncommon New England type. President Eliot said in his 
welcome to Prince Henry of Germany last March (1902): 
" Democracy promotes human beings of remarkable natural 
gifts, who appear as sudden outbursts of personal power, with- 
out prediction or announcement through family merit." Change 



143 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the last word to prominence, and President Eliot's remark is 
illustrated by the eminence attained by those sons of the 
common people whose careers have just been outlined. 



THE PASTOR AND HIS HOME. 

The minister was the first citizen of the parish, and through 
his diary he is the best known to us. He was a faithful pastor. 
My great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Stickney, was sick unto 
death in the winter of 1756. Long Hill, where he lived, was as 
high, the distance from the parsonage as great — over two 
miles — the winters as severe, and the roads not as good as 
now, but Mr. Parsons' diary indicates that he made seven visits 
to that hill between February I and March 8, when Mr. Stickney 
was buried. One is reminded of the old English picture of a 
good pastor: 

Wide was his parish, and houses far asonder, 
But he ne left nought . . . 
In sicknesse ... to visite 
The ferrest in his parish . . . 

He was a tender shepherd of the lambs, who went hither and 
thither throughout the parish catechising the children from 
house to house. He also preached " to ye young pp " [people] 
from time to time. So, though there was no Sunday-School, 
the young did not lack Christian nurture. Mr. Parsons main- 
tained strict discipline in the church. The most frequent occa- 
sion was that married couples had been improperly intimate 
with each other before their marriage. In almost every in- 
stance the discipline resulted in the confession and restoration 
of the offenders. It need hardly be said that Mr. Parsons was 
faithful to his Sabbath duties. If the weather was too severe 
for his horse he walked, if the snow was very deep he wore 
snow-shoes. If he was too weak through occasional illness to 
stand, he preached in his chair; this he did in 1776 from 
August 18 to November 24; if he was too ill to go to the 
meeting-house or to write out a sermon, the entry in his diary 
would sometimes be like this: " 1775 Jan. 1 p d in y e Parsonage 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-17 'S3). 1 49 

house extempore." He was however, repeatedly so sick as to 
be laid by altogether from work. 

Mr. Parsons has been charged with a lack of spirituality, but 
I think the charge a mistake. The only evidence brought in 
proof is the small number that he received into the church. It 
is true that he received into full communion during his long 
pastorate but forty-seven, that is, an average of a little over one 
a year, but those were days when people demanded of them- 
selves so great evidence of conversion that they were apt to 
draw back with trembling from full church membership ; so 
they would venture to enter into covenant with the church and 
submit to its discipline without coming to the Lord's table. 
Such a relation to the church was called a half-way covenant. 
One hundred and forty-three thus " owned the covenant." It 
should also be remembered that from 1765, when the Stamp Act 
was passed, first politics and then war distracted attention from 
the gospel. Every page of Mr. Parsons' diary breathes a warm 
Christian spirit. He had his choice of two ministerial associa- 
tions and selected the more evangelical. He became, as we 
have seen, the warm friend of Whitefield. Every sermon of his 
that I have met, whether in print or manuscript, is full of gospel 
earnestness. Permit me to quote from one of them. Shall not 
those who are of Byfield stock receive it as the voice of the pas- 
tor of our fathers addressed to us from the skies? " All are by 
depraved Nature and sinful Practices out of the way of Salva- 
tion ; that is, under Guilt and Condemnation, obnoxious to the 
Justice and the Wrath of God and so exposed to all the miseries 
of this Life and of that which will never end. . . . But Glory 
to God in the highest, that there is Peace and Good will pub- 
lished to men here upon Earth . . . the Invitation of the 
Gospel is made to all . . . all are welcome to Christ if Christ 
be but welcome to their Souls." Mr. Parsons was a clear, in- 
teresting, forcible preacher, one who had the good sense to 
steer clear of theological subtleties and extremes. 

He was an all-round man ; one who kept up his acquaintance 
with his Alma Mater through occasional visits to her, and who 
met her professors at the social board in Byfield ; one who with 



150 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

his good wife was very often seen at the tables of his parish- 
ioners, and who in turn entertained with a hearty and never 
failing hospitality; as a farmer he stocked his orchard with 
choice fruit, and took an honest pride in the weight of his pigs ; 
he was a sportsman too, whose sure aim brought down many a 
savory specimen of game for the table. The parsonage was 
enlivened with young peoples' parties, singing-meetings and 
sewing-bees. From 1758 on, it appears to have been cheered 
by the regular visits of a newspaper. He and his wife had ten 
children to care for, but they discovered the secret by which on 
a salary, including fuel, of $280.00 with the free-will offerings of 
a loving people, they not only lived respectably and entertained 
bountifully, but sent three boys to college. 

THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE. 

Mr. Parsons had an interesting people. Almost all kinds of 
handicraft seem to have been practised in the parish. One that 
has passed away made cheerful music in every house — that of 
the spinning-wheel and the loom, but people often hired a part 
of their weaving done. The first Hale ledger has frequent 
charges like this : 

June 1 75 1 to weven ■$■$ yards 

of tow and Lining [Linen] 8 — 10 — 2 [^8 10s. 2(T\. 

The table had some delicacies obtained at hand that now only 
come from outside the parish, if at all, such as wild pigeons, 
shad, and salmon. Potatoes became more common, and even 
then Maine potatoes seem to have been in demand. In 1776, 
Deacon Hale sold Moses Lull eight bushels of " Mount desert" 
potatoes at is. %d. ($0.30) a bushel. For drink, distilled liquors, 
especially rum, were becoming banefully common. I do not 
remember any entry of such liquors in the Longfellow ledger 
of Mr. Hale's day, but such entries are common in the Hale 
ledger of Mr. Parsons' time and the Jeremiah Pearson ledger of 
the same period. Flag-bottomed chairs were in common use, 
and flags to bottom them were sold at two shillings ($0.33^) a 
bundle. People wore garments with curious names, such as 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17 '44-27 '83). 15 1 

banyans and gragoes and Josephs. These names appear in the 
ledger of Reuben Pearson, the tailor ; the banyan was a loose 
gown or wrapper, and the grago or grego, perhaps a short 
jacket or cloak, sometimes hooded, and the Joseph a long riding- 
coat, with a cape, worn on horseback by both men and women ; 
they threw cloths called houzen over their saddles for easy 
riding; and Captain Hale the cordwainer, or shoemaker, made 
for their feet, along with many other sorts of footwear, the golo, 
possibly a sort of galosh or overshoe. For material, homespun 
was of course the staple, but along with that they wore sheep- 
skin, and also beaverskin, deerskin, and moosehide, for the wild 
life of the forest was still near at hand. Wall papers, and that 
with a border, began to add to the attractiveness of the homes. 
In July 1775, Captain Hale, or his son the Deacon, bought "6 
Rolls of paper Hanging " for 1 pound, that is, some sixty cents 
a roll, and at the same time " 6% yrds of Bordering." Only the 
best room could be papered, we may be sure, when the paper 
was so expensive. Mrs. J. C. Peabody's house still retains some 
of the earliest paper put on in Byfield. It is of a large and 
tasteful pattern. Trade was still largely barter. Reuben Pearson, 
the tailor, credits one customer " by half a peck of indian meal," 
and another " by six eggs," and " by half a pound of butter," 
and yet another " by half a Load of mean hay." If they settled 
the balance with hard money they used many a strange coin, 
such as a Johannes, which was a great Portuguese gold coin 
worth some seventeen dollars, or a Pistareen, a little Spanish 
silver coin worth about twenty cents, the original of the peseta 
of the Spanish countries of our day, or sometimes that " mighty 
coin," the Spanish or Mexican piece of eight reals stamped 
with the pillars of Hercules, the original of our dollar: speci- 
mens of it were still in circulation when we old boys were 
young. One of the Hale ledgers of the 18th century has pasted 
on the inside of the cover two leaves of an almanac showing the 
value of the coins of various nations, and giving a table dis- 
playing the equivalent of Old Tenor in Lawful Money. Those 
yellow leaves suggest how difficult it was to keep accounts with 
so motley a currency, and how impossible it is often to deter- 



152 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

mine the value of articles from the statement in the currency of 
that day. When at last by barter, or paper, or coin, or guess- 
work, they had succeeded in balancing their accounts, they 
closed them up with some such statement as this in Reuben 
Pearson's ledger : " Decem r 1780 then Setled all accompts with 
Mr Nehemiah Jewett from the begining of the world to this 
Day." The Academy boys used candles for light and paid 
Deacon Hale six shillings or $1.00 a week for board. Deacon 
Hale has this entry — one of a number giving the same price 

for board : 

1775 Brigadier Genrl Pribble [Preble] 

Novr Dr 

To Boarding y r son from 
6 Novr untill y e 3 rd 
April 1776 being 21 weeks 
2d [days] at 6s pr week 6-7-8 

This son was the boy whom Master Moody tried to frighten by 
bringing the fire shovel down with great force close to his head, 
and of whom he exclaimed, in pride at the boy's invincible cool- 
ness, " Boys, did you observe the Brigadier, when I struck? He 
never winked. He '11 be a general yet." Young Preble's after 
career in the navy justified Master Moody's prediction. The 
academy school year seems to have covered forty-nine weeks, 
judging from the deacon's charges for board. Household help 
could be relied upon to stay, if the following entry in Deacon 
Hale's account book was typical of the times: " 1778 Mary 
Crombe left my Family the fifteenth Day of October 1778 hav- 
ing Lived in my Family 8 years & five months including some 
intermissions." 

Some of the people were fond of reading. No doubt the 
minister's wife's passion for literature had an influence in the 
parish, and the presence of the Academy would tell in the same 
direction, and the reading was no longer exclusively religious, 
for the outcome of the Revolution made good Christians feel 
that they had a country on earth as well as in heaven. The 
following is not the only entry in the Hale ledgers that has a 
literary flavor: 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (11^-1183). 1 53 

1 782 Capt. Edmund Sawyer Cr. 
By one Volume history of war 

" Mr. Parsons Sermons [probably Mr. Parsons of NewburyportJ 

" one Number Hist ry war 

" Mr. Danas Sermon 

" " Edwards Piece on Redempn 

" No 1 Hist 1 * of the War 

The invoice of the estate of Capt. Joseph Hale, who died in 
1754, and who began the first of the extant Hale ledgers, may- 
be quoted as showing the amount, and proportion, of real estate 
and stock that a thrifty farmer of the period had : 

Real Estate Orchard I [acre], Tiling [tillage or ploughed ground] 
7, moing 34, Pasturin 30, 2 Horses, 2 oxen, 8 cows, 24 Sheep, 2 
Swine. 

The following are a few of the houses of Byfield which are 
memorials of those times (I take these for samples simply 
because I happen to know more of their history) : the Tenney 
house near Long Hill was built probably about 1750 by 
Nathaniel Tenney, father of the Congressman and grandfather 
of the Chief-Justice, who will come before us in the next period ; 
the Minchin house by the saw mill was built probably a little 
earlier by Samuel Stickney, whose children have been men- 
tioned as New Brunswick pioneers ; the Evvell house probably 
dates from about the same time, but was moved from its original 
site south of the Taylor lane to where it now stands about 1797 ; 
the Hale house by the Academy is shown by entries in the 
ledger to have been built or at least begun in 1764, to take the 
place of an earlier house which was pulled down in that year. 
The excellent condition of all these houses after a century and 
a half of service shows the skill and honesty of their builders ; 
there was no sham in their work. 

The beautiful double row of elms in front of Mr. E. P. Noyes' 
house is said to have been planted by his great-great-grand- 
father as Liberty trees in the year 1776, to commemorate the 

1 Number, — that is, of a work published in parts. 



154 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Declaration of Independence. They were thirty in number 
originally, and a pound of pork was paid for planting each 
one. 

Our good ancestors of that period were superstitious. Miss 
Emery has preserved the account of a dreadful giant some twenty 
feet high, clothed in black, that stalked swiftly through the air 
near the ground, gliding through walls and fences without dis- 
turbing them, one spring Sunday afternoon, from the Academy 
to the meeting-house, and through Warren Street to Deacon 
Searle's house — now Mr. L. R. Moody's — and beyond, until 
Deacon Searle saw it vanish over Hunslow Hill. The giant 
screamed as he rushed along and stupefied the beholders with 
terror and set the cows to running and bellowing. No wonder 
Deacon Colman to whose published narrative we are indebted 
for this marvellous bit of Byfield history (?) thought it an omen 
of divine displeasure against his slaveholding pastor, but prob- 
ably the pastor gave it a different interpretation and one quite 
as correct. 

The people suffered from quaint and fearful diseases such as 
"an Imposthume" in the head, or "ye rising of ye Light;" 
sometimes, however, one was simply " worn out with eating age 
till the weary wheels of life at length stood still." (Mr. Parsons' 
record of deaths.) The methods of treatment were as curious 
as the diseases, even the poor cattle suffered from the fondness 
for blood letting. Captain Hale charges Mr. Richard Kent for 
" blooding your Catil." I am not sure but Mrs. Parsons showed 
her usual superior wisdom in abjuring the medical science of 
her day as " no science at all," and solemnly charging her 
children, should she be sick and delirious not to give her any 
medicine " come what might." One wonders whether the med- 
ical science of our day could not have mitigated the ravages 
of " the throat distemper " from which the parish still suffered. 
Captain Hale had thirteen children, but lost all but the deacon 
in their infancy of this scourge. 

An elaborate funeral was a costly tribute of affection. One 
who did not know the worth of the faded document lately 
burned a very long Byfield funeral bill. The following account 





i/X JT 


r 




" ^ * * 


■ S ME 


■HHBIiHHHHHHHHBBB 




WARREN STREET 
DISTRICT SCHOOLHOUSE 



THE TENNEY HOUSE 




GRAVE OF ELIPHALET PEARSON 
The picture is correct; the railing sags 



i5 - 


15-0 


8 - 


0-0 


6 - 


2 - 6 


4 - 


7- 6 


4 - 


7- 6 




9- 5 


i - 


10 - 


£a°- 


1 1 - 1 1 


19 - 


17 - 7 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17U-1783). I 55 

of a fraction of the funeral expenses of Lieut. Stephen Long- 
fellow the blacksmith is a copy of one loaned me by Mr. Horace 
Longfellow. 

Dr Edward and Samuel Longfellow 
To Anthony Gvvynn — 
To S l A yards Lute String (a 60/ 
To 8 yards women Sipros a 20/ 
To 8^ yards hat Crape a 14/ 
To 5 pr Mens Gloves a 1 7/6 
To 5 pr womens Gloves a 1 7/6 
To sowing Silk — 
To 3 pr Black Buckles — 



17 - 15 - 1 

2 - 2-6 

19 -17 -7 Sent by John 20-14- 4 

Longfellow to pay part of this 

this sent Desem r y e 22 - 1764 

This bill indicates that " a weed " for the hat and expensive 
buckles and gloves, and costly silk and veils of " sipros " were a 
part of the funeral attire. The seven items of this bill foot up 
to the equivalent of about one hundred and fifty dollars, reckon- 
ing the shilling equal to three-fourths the sterling shilling (see 
p. 109). 

The age continued respectful. Deacon Hale speaks of his 
father-in-law as " My Hon ra Father Northend." Woman was 
accorded more honor than before. There are many records of 
the appointment of committees of men to promote singing in 
public worship, but it was not, so far as I have found, until 
March 6, 1781, that any women were put on such a committee. 
It was then " Voted to appropriate the Two Womens Seats in 
the front Gallery for Such Women as are Skilled in musick to 
Set in." 

The industrial progress of the parish continued. " The first 
snuff mill in New England, and probably in the country, was 
built about 1750, at the mills village [the village at the station] 



I5 6 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

and it has been continued (though with some suspensions) to 
the present time." At about the same time "there were iron 
works on the site of the present Larkin snuff mill, the ore being 
largely obtained in Byfield and vicinity." 1 

The parish continued in close connection with the outer 
world, and a trip to Boston seems to have been frequent. 
Reuben Pearson's usual charge for " my horse to Boston " was 
12s, or #2.00. A little later than this period, that is in 1794, 
Deacon Hale hired Sewall Woodman in the spring for seven 
months at $8.00 a month ; so that it would take about a week's 
wages to hire a horse to Boston, and there would be the time 
and board of one's self and horse in addition probably for three 
days. 

Our people were still very religious. Not content with the 
two long sermons preached on Sunday, they used to appoint 
committees " to read some Suitable Discourse to such as tarry 
at y e Meeting-House between Public Exercises," and also — and 
this last clause shows that human nature was much the same 
then as now, and that even young people in Puritan families 
needed a little watching — "to see y* y e Sabbath be not pro- 
faned." Their fidelity to public worship appears in the pastor's 
entry in his diary for the Lord's Day January 6, 1765 : 

Stormy, snow, No woman at meeting. No horse at y e Meeting- 
House, ta rd [tarried] at noon 15 min, few pp [people] ab l 70. 

It was mid-winter, the snow was probably already deep, and 
it was still falling, very likely there was a blizzard ; not a 
woman could face the storm, there was not a man but was too 
merciful to his horse to take him out, and the parish was four 
miles in diameter : yet about seventy men waded through the 
snow and buffeted the storm to worship God in his house, and 
they stayed through the two services in that unheated house, 
cold and damp as they must have been. Heroic record ! heroic 
ancestors of ours ! magnificent legacy to all generations of their 
posterity, of love for the Lord's house ! 

1 Manuscript essay on " Parker River Manufacturers," by the late Mr. J. C. 
Peabody. 



PASTORATE OF REV. MOSES PARSONS (17M-1783). 1 57 



THE PASTOR'S LAST DAYS. 

Time wore on and the pastor, who had given his people the 
strength of his youth and the wisdom of his maturity, was 
approaching old age ; still in the course of nature it seemed that 
his pastorate might be continued for some years ; but the end 
was at hand. The last three entries in his diary are these: 

S.D. [Sabbath Domini = Lord's Day] Dec. 7 No Meetg unwell w th a 
cold. 

Dec. 8 Mondy, mod e [moderate.] 
9 Tuesday mod e cloudy. 

Five days later he died. The cold which developed into this 
fatal illness is said to have been contracted in attending a 
funeral ; this was in keeping with the fidelity which had charac- 
terized his entire pastoral life. His son Theophilus reached 
home the day before his father died. He wrote to his sister: 
" He smiled upon me as usual, and professed his perfect readi- 
ness to go, saying that he was satisfied in his religion and that 
his hopes were firm." 

The chamber where the good man meets his fate 
Is privileged beyond the common walks of life, 
Quite on the verge of heaven. 

Professor Tappan of Harvard preached the funeral sermon 
and Rev. Mr. Frisby of Ipswich delivered an oration at the 
grave. Both emphasized in similar language the blended grace 
and dignity of his "commanding presence," and Professor 
Tappan eulogized among other traits his good judgment, quick 
perception, and fluent and pleasing speech, his frankness, 
enlivening humor, and remarkable purity and self-control, and 
his rare gift in prayer, but the sermon contains no higher 
tribute than this, that he was " the same good man both at 
home and abroad." Mr. Parsons must have been in personal 
presence, in mind and in heart, a New England country pastor 
of the best type. 



158 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 



RETROSPECT. 



During this second period in the life of our parish, the vigor 
and prolific increase of our people were undiminished, and they 
continued to improve the conditions of the life at home, and 
to extend their local industries and also to send forth the sturdy 
pioneer and the educated leader. The secret of their strength 
was, as it had been all along, their virtue and integrity, and 
their church-going, God-fearing character, although religion 
may not have been so prevalent and deep as in the previous 
generation. Their fortitude was tested by more continuous war 
than in any other period, whether of pioneers or parish foun- 
ders, but the outcome of it all was that before the close of the 
period they emerged from subjection to the British crown into 
self-government with all its privileges and responsibilities, its 
perils and high hopes. At the same time that they broke the 
shackles that bound themselves, they voluntarily removed 
those by which they had held their fellow-men in bondage, so 
that henceforth civil and personal liberty joined hands in the 
good old commonwealth. In all the conflict and sacrifice which 
opened the way to this larger and freer arena our parish 
responded with alacrity to every draft upon its patriotism. 

The most important event of the period was the opening of 
Dummer Academy, alike for its quickening influence on the 
intellectual life of the parish and because it made Byfield an 
intellectual centre of the country. It was especially such a 
centre during this very period, for it was not until near its close 
that the Academy had any rival. Many a man knows just one 
thing of Byfield, and that is that it is the seat of Dummer 
Academy. Hitherto there had been one leading person in 
Byfield — the minister ; henceforth there were to be two — the 
minister and the Master of the Academy. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FROM THE DEATH OF THE REV. MOSES PARSONS, 

DEC. 14, 17S3, TO THE DEATH OF THE REV. 

ELIJAH PARISH, D.D., OCT. 15, 1825. 

Special Authorities for this Period. — Manuscript : Mary Cleaveland Channell's 
diary (1810-1829). Miss Channell was a niece of Dr. Parker Cleaveland, and 
lived with her widowed mother in the house where Mr. Asa Rogers now lives. 
Her stone in the old burying-ground says that she died September 26, 1830, aged 
34 years. Her diary and the traditions concerning her indicate that she was a 
very interesting young lady. 

Oral: Reminiscences of Dr. Parish and his times told me by his contem- 
poraries. The community had many such persons in my youth. Possibly the 
last one in the circle of my acquaintance was taken from us when Mrs. Otis 
Thompson died September 27, 1902. I am much indebted to the reminiscences 
of that worthy lady. My last call upon her was on her ninetieth birthday, 
August 22, 1902. Her mind was clear, and her heart sunny, and I noted down 
from her lips some additional memories of the olden times. 

Printed : Dr. Parish's Sermons. Four brief printed sketches of Dr. Parish, 
namely those by Dr. Sprague, and a " constant hearer " in Sprague's " Annals of the 
American Pulpit," Vol. II, and two by Dr. Withington, one in " Contributions to the 
Ecclesiastical History of Essex County," and the other prefixed to the volume of 
Dr. Parish's sermons; Woods' "Life and Character of Parker Cleaveland;" arti- 
cles on Paul Moody and John Dummer in the "Contributions of Old Residents' 
Association " of Lowell, Mass. ; John Foss' " Journal ; " John Quincy Adams' 
" Diary" while he was a pupil of Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport; President 
Dwight's "Travels;" "The Life of Mary Lyon." Other authorities will be cited 
in the course of the chapter. 

BETWEEN PASTORATES. 

AFTER the death of Mr. Parsons repeated fasts were ob- 
served for divine guidance in " Resettling the Gospel." 
The arrangements were somewhat elaborate ; six ministers were 
invited to participate in the services. For one of these fasts a 
committee was appointed to secure " a Suitable House as near 
the Meeting House as conveniently may be to accommodate the 
Rev rd Gentlemen who are to lead." At about this time it was 

Voted that Capt. Daniel Chute and Capt. Joseph Poor be desired 
to read the Psalm or Hymn which may be sung on Lord's Day or on 
other Days except on the last time singing on said Days, when Dea. 



l60 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Searl is absent also that they be desired to set in the Pew by the 
Pulpit. 

We may suppose that hymn-books were not generally owned, 
and that the custom of deaconing the hymns, that is, giving them 
out by the deacons line by line still continued, and that good 
Deacon Searle could not always be at " meeting " because of 
the infirmities of age, and so these two worthy Captains were 
requested when he was absent to sit in the deacons' pew and 
officiate in his place, one probably in the morning and the 
other in the afternoon. 

One matter of general history at this time touched Byfield, 
namely Shays's Rebellion (1786-87). "The decay of trade, 
the loss of public credit, and the weight of public and private 
debts " led to riotous disorder, in which " burning barns and 
blazing haystacks," the closing of courts by armed mobs and 
the opening of prison doors showed that the very existence of 
government was threatened. The seat of the rebellion was the 
centre and the west of the State. The commonwealth put a 
large force of soldiers into the field who suffered much hardship 
from the snow and the intense cold. In one encounter three 
of the rebels were shot dead. In a few months, however, the 
rebellion was crushed and the courts resumed their functions. 
Rowley furnished for the State a lieutenant and twenty-three 
men, among whom I find the names of Joseph Pike, John Pike, 
Samuel Searle, and Stephen Pearson from Byfield. Newbury 
furnished a company of fifty-five men led by Capt. Edward 
Longfellow of Byfield, a graduate of Dartmouth College in the 
class of 1780. So Byfield though sharing the burdens and 
sufferings that followed the revolution stood firm for law and 
order. 

Year after year passed and still the flock found no shepherd ; 
a Mr. Daniel Oliver was twice called, but unsuccessfully. No 
doubt there was great disappointment, but the Lord had a 
choice treasure in store for the church. 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. l6l 

THE THIRD PASTOR SETTLED. 

September 3, 1787, the parish concurred with the church in 
•giving Mr. Elijah Parish " a Caul " on a salary of £$$ silver 
currency ($283.33), ^vith fifteen cords of wood " Brought to his 
Door " and the use of the parsonage buildings and lands, the 
buildings to be kept in repair " glass excepted." 

Mr. Parish was born in Lebanon, Conn., November 7, 1762. 
On his mother's side he was a descendant in the sixth gen- 
eration from Capt. Myles Standish the Pilgrim. Both printed 
records and tradition indicate that his family was in straitened 
circumstances and that like so many other New England boys 
who have done honor to their stock he was obliged to struggle 
to get an education. 

When he was eight years old, his pastor Rev. Eleazar Whee- 
lock, whose Indian school at Lebanon had already won fame 
beyond the sea, with a magnificent Christian heroism struck 
far north into the wilderness and founded Dartmouth College 
at Hanover, N. H. Thither young Parish followed the great 
teacher, although after his death, and was graduated from Dart- 
mouth in 1785. It will be remembered that John Smith from 
Byfield was already an honored instructor in Dartmouth. 
Probably Parish's college career showed marked ability, and 
Professor Smith would be apt to seek to secure him for the 
vacant pastorate in his native parish. So it is easy to trace the 
Providential lines which are likely to have led Mr. Parish to 
Dartmouth and to Byfield. 

OPPOSITION. 

The call provoked speedy and pronounced opposition. On 
November 8 a remonstrance was signed by thirteen persons, 
of whom Israel Adams, Jr., probably lived on Rowley side, but 
the rest in Newbury. Three more from Newbury asked Mr. 
Parish to postpone an affirmative reply " for the present." The 
names of prominent men like Paul Moody, Stephen Adams, 
Samuel Longfellow, and Benjamin Pearson are attached to the 
paper. They objected (1) that the salary was beyond their 



1 62 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

means; (2) that he might be able to draw it throughout his 
ministry though " unable to preach for a number of years ; " 

3 J y that Mr. Parish will admit none as fit subjects to dedicate their 
Infant Children in the Ordinance of baptism, but such as are in full 
communion with the Church; 

(4) that Mr. Parish's preaching did not afford the desired in- 
struction and edification. One Newbury name that was not on 
the remonstrance was that of Benjamin Colman, Jr., subse- 
quently the second Dea. Benjamin Colman. He had given 
his heart to Mr. Parish before the call with a depth of apprecia- 
tion that reached his pocket, for away back in June Reuben 
Pearson the tailor had charged him 

for making a Cirtout for Mr. Parish — 0-10-0 ($1.67). 

So Mr. Colman showed his esteem for the young candidate by 
taking cloth down to the parish tailor and having a garment 
made for him. Mr. Parish said in his answer that he had taken 
" every prudent method to learn the true state of the Parish," 
had advised with his friends and made the call a subject of 
daily prayer. He said that he was not " forgetful of disagree- 
able circumstances attending the call," but he reflected "on 
the almost entire unanimity of the Church and the improbability 
of a perfect union in such a time of various tastes and senti- 
ments," and so in a very modest and tender manner and with a 
profound sense of the solemnity of the step he accepted the call. 
An ordination was a rare event in those days when settlements 
were for life, and it always drew a throng. An unusually large 
concourse was likely to assemble on this occasion, for there 
would probably be formidable opposition ; so precautions were 
taken to make the galleries secure, and Reuben Pearson, who 
could turn his hand to almost anything, charged the parish 
under date of December 17, 1787: 

for helping to brace the Galeries in the meeting house 

— 0-2-0 ($0.33) 

The council to ordain and install Mr. Parish met December 
19, 1787, but the great ordination dinner " had ample time to 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 63 

cool." The opposition was so strong that the people were kept 
" in painful suspense" all through that day and all through the 
next as to the result, and more than once the candidate " pressed 
his hand on his chair to rise and decline the call, but something 
seemed to check him." " Never was a young candidate [Mr. 
Parish was only twenty-five] settled under greater opposi- 
tion." At last, however, the council came to an affirmative 
decision, and he was ordained and installed in the evening of 
December 20. 

The settlement did not settle matters. On the contrary, the 
opposition waxed stronger. The malcontents turned in various 
directions, some to the new Baptist church in New Rowley, now 
Georgetown, and others to the Presbyterian church (the Old 
South), and to the Episcopal church, both in Newburyport. I 
have before me a list " of those men and their Taxes who Separ- 
ated from us." The list is dated February 10, 1789, and con- 
tains twenty-four polls, and taxes amounting to £26 $s. $d. 
($87.56). I have also before me an application to "the Pres- 
byterian Congregation of Newburyport" signed by nineteen 
persons, mostly those who had remonstrated against Mr. Parish's 
coming. The application requests " liberty of meeting with 
you until we can be Edified elsewhere," and pledges, if the 
request be granted, to pay the same tax that they had paid the 
Rev. Mr. Parsons " before the late war." One of those who 
attended "the Presbyterian congregation" — the blind Joseph 
Adams, great-uncle of Dea. Leonard Adams — was asked by 
the Byfield church to give his reasons for leaving. In his reply 
he says that their minister appears to him to preach " the new 
divinity." He also says, "I know not but they [their new 
doctrines] will sink all into Hell who die in the belief of them, 
and would it be thought wisdom in me to walk in a path which 
I fear might at last land me in Hell?" 

But Newburyport was too far away and the seceders were 
too numerous to take so long a journey each Lord's Day, and 
so after a few years a large house of worship was erected nearly 
where Mr. Hudson Hill's new house now stands. The contract 
for the lumber shows the change in our forest growth. This 



1 64 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

had been chiefly oak, and so all the buildings had been of oak, 
but most of the material for this structure was to be pine, " hude 
smoth " [hewed smooth], but a part of the studs and all the 
braces were to be of oak. It was raised August 25, 1796. 
An Englishman named William Sleigh accepted the call to 
the pastorate of the new congregation. His letter of accept- 
ance indicates an imperfect education and no high ideal of the 
pastoral office. The new society grew from year to year, as is 
shown by the records of the old parish. There was not yet 
religious liberty. Everybody must pay in the incorporated 
parish in which he lived ; but the stringency of the law had 
been somewhat relaxed so that if a parishioner were a regular 
attendant at some other meeting, while he must pay to his own 
parish, the treasurer of that parish would pay an amount equal 
to his tax to the congregation where he worshipped. For ex- 
ample, it was voted November 18, 1790, " to raise £30 to supply 
the deficiency which May arise for the money which may be 
Drawn out of the parish Treasury for the Support of the public 
worship of God in other places." The appropriation for this 
purpose in 1794 reached £40 ($133.33). A paper drawn up 
April 12, 1797, and entitled " Reasons for Separation from Mr. 
Parish" mentions among other objections : 

Want of instruction and Edification 

A backwardness in Mr. Parish to explain texts of scripture when 
asked 

particularly some sentiments by him advanced 

1 st That Adam's first sin was not imputed to his posterity : 

2 d That though man is totally depraved yet his understanding is 
not darkened by the fall : 

3 d That man has power to comply with and perform all the divine 
requirements : 

4 th That regeneration when wrought in the soul is not wholly a work 
of God's spirit : 

5 th That God is the Author of sin. 

This is a remarkable set of objections to be urged by people 
of whom most were outside the church. They show how 
deeply ingrained with theology and that of the knottiest nature 



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DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 65 

was the mind of our fathers. The first and fourth sentiments 
charged upon him suggest that he was a new-school man of his 
day, while his opponents, though good men, looked backward 
and were slow to recognize new treasures from the old store- 
house of divine truth. It should be remembered that we do not 
have Mr. Parish's answer to these charges. We do have, how- 
ever, Dr. Withington's testimony concerning him in the memoir 
prefixed to the volume of Mr. Parish's sermons. Dr. Withington 
there says that Dr. Parish " was not a narrow preacher." " His 
mind was replenished with the fulness of the gospel. In this 
respect I hardly know his equal . . . the religious suspicion 
and obloquy to which he was for a time subjected . . . arose 
from his independence of character. . . . He was a friend to 
religious liberty; he would have the human mind assailed by 
no arms but those of persuasion and truth. . . . The truths 
embraced by our fathers he believed to be infinitely important 
to the happiness of man; yet he was cautious of judging of 
intentions. In declaring opinions he spoke with confidence: 
but persons he left to the tribunal of God." We have many 
printed sermons of Mr. Parish, and these sustain the verdict of 
his friend and neighbor Dr. Withington. They also show that 
he preferred to preach the saving truths that have been revealed 
in the gospel rather than to entangle himself and his hearers in 
the secret things that belong to God. 

Probably most of the opponents of the new minister were 
what were called half-way-covenant members, and their weighti- 
est objection was the third in the remonstrance of 1787, namely, 
his refusal to baptize the children of such parents. His posi- 
tion was a great and bold innovation in a church where the 
majority were only half-way-covenant members, but Mr. Parish 
was right and prophetic as well as conscientious and courageous, 
for the New Testament nowhere recognizes a half-way dis- 
cipleship, and our churches have now for a century taken his 
position. 

If we may judge from the parish records the alienation 
reached its extreme point in 1797. October 17 of that year 
$268.34 was voted for Mr. Parish's salary plus $60 for wood. 



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1 66 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

It is interesting to notice that pounds, shillings, and pence, with 
the cumbersome reckoning they involved, had given way to dol- 
lars and cents, — a change indicating that our people had cut 
loose from England and set up for themselves financially as 
well as politically. The same day there was appropriated $180 
" in lieu of what money may be Carryed of by those that attend 
public worship in other places." This is the highest amount 
that I find recorded for that purpose. Certainly the test was a 
severe one for the young pastor. He had now given to the 
parish almost ten years of his early prime, but about one-third 
of the financial strength of the parish went elsewhere. Two 
years later Dr. Parker Cleaveland was appointed a committee to 
" remonstrate against the Petition of David Pearson and others 
to be incorporated as a Presbyterian Society in Byfield." Party 
feeling ran high. In December of that year or thereabouts " a 
quantity "of the glass of the new meeting-house was smashed 
by rowdies, and eleven persons pledged themselves to advance 
$8.98 immediately to replace it. The building probably could 
not be heated, and this petty act of vandalism in the winter 
would perhaps prevent meetings until the glass was replaced. 
The next year, that is, April 29, 1800, the parish voted to peti- 
tion the General Court for leave not to assess those who attend 
"another society" (no doubt that of Mr. Sleigh), so long as 
they " support a Publick Teacher of Piety and Morality." The 
list of the men attending this society is attached. It includes 
six Pearsons, three Adamses, six Dummers, three Moodys, two 
Titcombs, four Longfellows, four Woodmans, three Turners, 
and three others — thirty-four in all; also " Lemuel Noyes and 
John Thorla who usually Attend Publick worship with an incor- 
porated Baptist Soc." The list shows how strong the new 
movement was socially as well as financially. But less than 
thirteen months later it appears from a vote of May 18, 1801, 
that " the separate but unincorporated religious society in By- 
field " had " for more than a year discontinued the stated Pub- 
lick worship of God." The movement that had held out so 
long and had seemed so strong had suddenly collapsed. Inci- 
dentally this last vote shows that the statement which has been 



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DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 67 

made that the new society was a Presbyterian society is strictly 
speaking incorrect. It was commonly termed Presbyterian, 
and the members applied for incorporation, but the old society 
protested, and they never got it. Reuben Pearson said that 
they went down because they did n't get " a draw-rin " minister. 
Probably another factor contributing to the result was that the 
parent church had what Mr. Pearson would have called a very 
" draw-rin " minister. His opponents gradually came to see 
that the Lord had sent to the parish a minister of rare gifts and 
graces, one whose ministrations they could not afford to miss. 
" Never," says Dr. Withington, " was an opposition so formi- 
dable, so completely lived down by prudence and time." Mr. 
Benjamin Colman, the younger — his father the first Dea- 
Benjamin Colman had died in 1797 — bought the seceders' 
meeting-house and moved it to where it now stands south of 
the present parsonage. Here the building that was erected 
amid so much contention has peacefully served three genera- 
tions. It will subsequently in this history call for an honorable 
mention. 

BYFIELD MANUFACTURES AND INVENTIONS. 

The Revolution quickened the American mind in many direc- 
tions. One result was a great impetus to manufactures. In 
these our little parish took a leading place. In 1794 what is 
said to have been the first incorporated company for the manu- 
facture of woollen goods in the United States, erected a mill at 
the already historic " Falls." It was probably this mill which 
led the spot to be termed, as it still is, " the Factory." Shortly 
after the factory was erected President Dwight visited this 
region and wrote of the enterprise in his " Travels " : "A fac- 
tory for making woollen cloth has been established in Newbury 
which seems likely to be successful — time will prove." Mr. 
Currier's "History of Newbury" traces minutely the vicissi- 
tudes of the property since 1794 through some twenty sales and 
leases, or an average of about one in five years. The Schofield 
brothers, Englishmen, deserve honorable memory as the me- 
chanical leaders in this work, as well as William Bartlett, 



1 68 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Theophilus Parsons, and the others who furnished the money. 
Rev. Jedediah Morse, of Charleston, should also be gratefully- 
mentioned, for he befriended the English strangers and intro- 
duced them to the Newburyport capitalists. Dr. Morse may 
have interested Dr. Parish in the enterprise and so have helped 
bring it to Byfield, for the two Doctors were literary partners. 
In 1794 Jacob Perkins of Newburyport, under his patent of 
January 16 of that year, made in Byfield the first nails by 
machinery in America, and instantly, according to a Newbury- 
port advertisement, brought down the price of nails twenty per 
cent. Up to that time the man who would build a house must 
give a large contract to the blacksmith a good while ahead, so 
that he might have time to slowly forge by hand each nail, one 
by one, for all the building. Near the close of the century John 
Lees smuggled in from England a carding-machine, and from 
time to time other machinery was brought over piece by piece 
and put together here, and so at "the factory" the first cotton 
goods were manufactured in a factory in America. Contrary 
statements have been made, but I think that what I have 
written is correct. The " Standard History of Essex County," 
page 319, has a careful statement of rival claims, and that ac- 
count was written by a Byfield man after consulting a daughter 
of John Lees, Mrs. Joseph Goodhue of Newburyport. In that 
woollen and cotton mill the great inventor, Paul Moody, learned 
his mechanical a, b, c, and showed the stirrings of his genius, 
and I suppose Moody's coadjutor, John Dummer, owed a similar 
debt to our historic factory. In 1804 Thomas Larkin came 
from Salem and set up a snuff factory on the Parker that has 
been operated by his family to this day. 

October 25, 1803, Paul Pillsbury of Byfield patented a corn- 
sheller to take the place of the old shovel or bit of a scythe that 
had hitherto been used to scrape off the kernels. Pillsbury's 
corn-sheller proved very popular. September 22, 1808, Mr. 
Pillsbury patented a machine for grinding bark. The machine 
is minutely described in the specifications. Some of its parts 
were a knife and a brake to separate the bark into small pieces, 
and a large conic wheel with teeth in diagonal rows set in a tub 




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DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 169 

of corresponding form with teeth running diagonally the reverse 
of those on the wheel, and the teeth toward the bottom were 
more numerous and smaller to grind the bark finer and finer. 
At the bottom were scrapers to scrape the bark off and direct it 
into a spout. Up to that time bark had been slowly and waste- 
fully crushed and bruised " by rolling it over a sort of mill- 
stone fitted to an axle and drawn by a horse." By the new 
mill a man could grind a cord of bark in an hour. The inven- 
tion was promptly recognized as a great boon to industry and 
the inventor sold his patent for $2,000, " a large sum for those 
days," but the purchasers failed, and Mr. Pillsbury never re- 
ceived one cent for an invention that had cost him much toil 
of head and hand, and that contained the principle " of all the 
cast-iron mills for the grinding of bark, corn, spices, and the 
like." Mr. Pillsbury will come before us again in this history 
as benefiting his fellow-men with his inventive genius, but he 
was destined, like so many of his brother inventors, never to 
receive any pecuniary compensation at all comparable to the 
value of his inventions. Not far from this time Enoch Boynton 
invented a reel for spinning silk. There was great enthusiasm 
in the cultivation of the mulberry, and Mr. Boynton's invention 
no doubt kindled yet higher hopes of lucrative returns. Cer- 
tainly there was a wonderful development of inventive genius 
at this time in the old parish, and it won a remarkable position 
as the cradle of useful inventions. Perhaps the Academy, the 
water-powers, and the stimulating intellect of the pastor, all 
contributed to produce a mental condition favorable to these 
achievements. The industries of Byfield were then very diver- 
sified. During this period, or possibly earlier, Jedediah Stick- 
ney had a scythe mill, where Mr. Dummer's saw-mill is now, 
and there were two or more tanneries in the parish, and several 
cooper-shops. 



EVENTS IN THE PARISH. 

Meanwhile Byfield did other things as well as make inven- 
tions and increase her manufactures. February 4, 1800, a parish 



170 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

meeting was held, Joseph Pike being moderator, in which it 
was voted 

... to set apart the twenty-Second Day of Feb. Current [Wash- 
ington's birth-day] as a day of Solemn mourning before God 
under his Just Displeasure in removing by Death General George 
Washington. . . . 

Voted that the Day be Ushered in by tolling the Bell one hour 
Beginning at Sunrise. 

2 Mr. Parish to be asked to deliver an Oration Calculated to lead 
our minds into a Suitable train while Contemplating this great Event 
of Divine Providence. 

3 Rev. Isaac Smith [Master of Dummer Academy] to open with 
prayer. 

4 All Skilled in musick ... to unite in performing musick adapted 
to this mournful occasion. 

The pastor's oration was eloquent and worthy of the occasion. 
As one reads it he feels that those who heard it must have been 
moved to frequent applause. Speaking of Washington's retreat 
from New York the orator said: 

The American contest, the Liberties of Mankind, appeared to 
tremble in the scale of events ; the voice of popular zeal had sunk 
almost to the whisper of submission. The Commander in Chief 
remained unmoved. Though he knew when to retire ; yet like the 
blast of the trumpet, it was to return with increasing fury. The aston- 
ished Delaware bore him back to victory ; the triumph of Trenton 
roused the country to a sense of their own force ; gave the mortal stab 
to oppression ; broke the sceptre of despotism. Like the sun obscured 
by clouds, but not extinguished, he continued the same in every 
exigence. 

The parish celebrated the centennial by putting the parson- 
age in thorough repair. The parish had now got its heart 
and purse well open, and it voted the very next year " to 
repair the meeting-house at an estimated cost of $6oo.oo." 
Joseph Pike superintended the affairs, and the net cost was 
$759.56, including $10.00 by which the parish kindly reim- 
bursed Mr. Pike for a $10.00 counterfeit bill that he had taken 
while acting as their agent. 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 171 



THE PASTOR. 

Mr. Parish had now been pastor sixteen years, the rival 
society had died out, the parsonage and meeting-house had 
been put in thorough repair, and everything indicates that the 
church and parish were in a very flourishing condition. His 
Alma Mater recognized his worth by bestowing upon him the 
degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1807, and so henceforth let us 
call him Dr. Parish. He was pre-eminently a pulpit orator. 
Some of his sermons were carefully written out — all were 
carefully prepared, but his usual custom, which was very un- 
usual for a Congregational minister in his day, was to preach 
with only brief notes ; yet Rev. Joseph Emerson, the teacher, 
his hearer for nearly three years, said that he could not dis- 
tinguish the extemporaneous from the written part of one of 
Dr. Parish's sermons, so finished were his unwritten utterances. 
Aunt Molly Stickney had a wonderful memory and used to go 
home from his preaching and write down his sermons and edify 
those in various families who might be detained at home by 
reading the sermons aloud to them, and Dr. Parish, it is said, 
if he wished subsequently to refer to one of his sermons would 
consult Aunt Molly. Dr. Parish's style as a preacher was clear, 
and his thought interesting, instructive, and evangelical. His 
sermons remind the reader of his contemporary the elder Presi- 
dent Dwight. In a sermon preached in 181 5 at the ordination 
of Enoch Pillsbury, a native of Byfield and a brother of Paul 
Pillsbury the inventor, Dr. Parish spoke as follows of careful 
preparation for the pulpit : 

" The hasty sermons are the most popular." As often as I hear 
such remarks I feel pity or contempt. Such remarks have no truth. 
It is not true that people of plain good understanding judge less cor- 
rectly the goodness of a sermon than a congregation of scholars. . . . 
Never did I know a week of study to be lost for lack of discernment in 
the hearers. . . . They do perceive [emptiness in a preacher], they do 
know when their minister brings from his treasury things new and 
old . . . they do know when they learn things before unknown to 
themselves. 



172 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Dr. Parish in these words illustrates his own practice, and 
he experienced to the full that appreciation by the hearers of 
careful preparation which he encouraged his young brother 
to anticipate. As he spoke in the pulpit his thought and style 
seem to have been suffused with a fire of holy eloquence that 
kindled the heart of every hearer. His preaching was his 
people's pride, and in my childhood long after his death his 
surviving parishioners would speak of it with exultant enthusiasm 
as though the like could hardly then be heard. He was the 
most noted and popular preacher in all the region. Once a 
year the meeting-house was opened at night for his anniversary 
sermon; the parishioners all came bringing their candles to 
light up the house, and the people from all the neighboring 
towns flocked to hear him, so that there was a long array of 
horses and vehicles in all directions outside the church. There 
was an eager demand for his published sermons, as the adver- 
tisements in those years in the Newburyport Herald show. At 
least twenty-four of his sermons and addresses were published 
during his life, and after his death a volume was issued con- 
taining twenty-one of his sermons, nearly all of which had not 
been printed before. So high was his reputation as a preacher 
that even after Andover Seminary was opened theological stu- 
dents continued to study with him as had been the custom 
in New England before there were special schools for that 
purpose. 

Dr. Parish's political position brought him into connection 
with the history of the nation. With the accession of Thomas 
Jefferson in 1801, the government of the country passed from 
Federalist to Democratic control, and a policy of friendship to 
France and of hostility to England followed. Dr. Parish be- 
lieved the accession of the Democratic party to power to be a 
great national calamity, and that Mr. Jefferson was utterly unfit 
to be President, and he spoke as he felt. He took for his text 
on Thanksgiving Day, 1804, " When the wicked beareth rule 
the people mourn," and he said that there was reason to mourn 
because of the man who held the first office in the country. 
He especially denounced what he deemed the antiscriptural 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 73 

sentiments of the President. He said " the controversy is not 
with us . . . the controversy is between the Holy God and Mr. 
Jefferson." A landmark in the development of the Democratic 
policy was the embargo of December 22, 1807. This embargo 
prohibited all foreign commerce. As a result the exports fell 
from $49,000,000 in 1807 to $9,000,000 in 1808. While nom- 
inally directed against all foreign trade, the embargo was really 
aimed at Great Britain and was an attempt " to starve her into 
a change of policy," but it was a boomerang which hurt our 
own country vastly more than it could any foreign nation. It 
was most crushing to New England because that section led 
in foreign commerce. The fisheries were abandoned, vessels 
were tied up to the wharves and dismantled, ship-building 
ceased, there was no sale for agricultural products, and gloom 
enshrouded seaport and country alike. When I was a boy 
Byfield still retained a vivid memory of the distress caused by 
the embargo. Although he was only the pastor of a small 
country parish, the eloquence and the clear cut position of Dr. 
Parish were so well known that he had the honor to be chosen 
by the Federalist Legislature to preach the election sermon of 
1810. Before the appointed time for the delivery of the sermon 
the government had passed into the hands of the Democrats, 
and the Federalist Governor who was still in his chair would 
in a few days resign his office to Elbridge Gerry, the Demo- 
cratic Governor-elect. Under the fiery invective of Dr. Parish, 
the hostile Legislature indicated its rage and resentment by all 
sorts of disturbances and attempts to disconcert and silence its 
castigator, but he would only pause and look at his audience 
with his piercing eye until his voice could once more be heard, 
and then go on. The Legislature refused the customary com- 
pliment of a request of the sermon for publication, but it was 
published by a friend and eagerly and widely read, and an ex- 
asperated foe gave portions of it a still wider circulation under 
the title of " Infernalism." It even found its way to Senator 
Hayne of South Carolina, and was quoted by him in his ora- 
torical duel with Webster in the United States Senate. In that 
sermon he says of the proclamation of the embargo, " the 



174 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

heralds of the general government passed through our towns 
. . . before them was the garden of Eden . . . behind them is 
the desert of Sodom ; " and again, " The Athenians sent their 
best men into exile, we more humane only relieve them from 
office . . . but they never made apostacy, infidelity, and shout- 
ing hosannas to the Moloch of the age passports to the highest 
offices of the state." Can we wonder that a Legislature that 
was thus denounced did not listen with unruffled composure? 

The war of 1812 followed with its disasters on land and won- 
derful victories on the water. It was prolonged with increasing 
burdens and suffering until 1814, when the first abdication of 
Napoleon enabled Great Britain to concentrate her strength 
against the little republic. Throughout the war Dr. Parish 
seems to have used his pulpit to denounce the administration — 
although chiefly on week day occasions like the annual fast. 
Dr. Parish's Fast Day Sermon of April 8, 1813, upon the text, 
" Put up thy sword," closed with the words, " When the hour 
of final retribution shall arrive . . . how will the supporters of 
this anti-Christian warfare . . . endure the fire that forever 
burns, the worm that never dies, the hosannas of heaven while 
the smoke of their torments ascends forever and ever. Amen." 
When peace was proclaimed he preached an eloquent sermon, 
in which he portrayed the folly, misery, and guilt of war, and 
its inconsistency with the gospel. He denounced " the patriotism 
which produced the war," and urged his people " to correct 
[their] patriotism by the light of [the] gospel and the example 
of his Son." The original manuscript of this sermon belongs 
to Mrs. Forbes. It is the only sermon of Dr. Parish in manu- 
script that I have met. While all might not endorse the verdict 
of the sermon upon that particular war, I wish it might be 
published, for I think it would promote " peace on earth." 
During the interval between 1804 and 18 14 he severely ar- 
raigned the dominant party in many another sermon besides 
those that I have quoted. Through the press many of his 
sermons reached a much larger audience. The following ad- 
vertisement from the Nezvburyport Herald of April 19, 181 1, 
indicates the eager demand for his political discourses: 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. ij^ 

Dr. Parish's Fast Sermon is now in Press, and will be published 
with all possible despatch. Subscription papers are left at the Insurance 
Offices. 

Another advertisement reads : — 

Dr. Parish's 

Sermon, 

This day Published 

And will be ready for Subscribers at the 

Bookstore of Thomas & Whipple, at 2 o cl'k, 

A Sermon, 

Preached at Byfield, 

On the Annual Fast, 

April 11, 1811, 

Text, 

" Babylon the great is fallen," &c. 

However pure his motive, we should all, I suppose, think 
such political invective as he uttered unwise in a minister of 
the gospel, and I think that he subsequently came to be of the 
same opinion, for he withdrew altogether from politics and said 
of it, "Politics is like the small-pox; nobody catches it but 
once." 

Unlike some able preachers, Dr. Parish also excelled as a 
pastor. He continued the good old custom of catechising the 
children, and he did this in the public schools as well as the 
homes. In visiting his people he used to drive about the parish 
in as inferior-looking an old chaise as the community could 
show. His visits were a delight to young and old. On my last 
call upon the late Mrs. Thompson she told me how he used to 
lay his hand upon her head when he called at her childhood's 
home and say, " My little lamb ; " and the old lady of ninety 
related the reminiscence of her childhood with emotion, so that 
it seemed as though she still felt the pressure of her loving 
pastor's hand. It was then an essential mark of hospitality 
to give the minister ardent spirit. Mr. G. D. Tenney has a 
beautiful mug brought from Canton with a hole through the 
side which has a history. Families commonly drank New 



1 76 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

England rum, but they were careful to furnish the minister 
with the West India article. On one occasion Mr. Tenney's 
family saw the Doctor coming, and put a hot poker into the 
mug of liquor to heat it, and in their hurry put the point of the 
poker through the mug, hence the hole. The late James Jewett, 
when a little boy, followed Dr. Parish from house to house up 
Warren Street, and saw him drink at each call, and thought he 
must take very little at each place or else have a big stomach. 
My Stickney ancestors still lived in his day, as they had for 
generations before, on Long Hill. When my great-grandfather 
saw him coming he would go out and swing open the gate and 
stand with his hat under his arm until the minister had driven 
through, while my great-grandmother would hasten to make a 
bowl of hot egg-nog and draw the great arm-chair up to the 
fire. As the Doctor drank the beverage he would say in his 
deep voice, " This is good, it is victuals and drink too." Cate- 
chising, kindly conversation, a chapter from the holy word and 
prayer, would fill up the visit, which ended all too soon, but left 
a halo behind the man of God as he departed. 

Dr. Parish was full of practical wisdom, and all that con- 
cerned the welfare of all his people concerned him. After he 
died one of his parishioners lamented, " I have lost my best 
adviser in my business;" and another, Joseph Pike, looking 
back over a life of fourscore years, said, " His like for both 
worlds I never knew." As for spiritual results, Dr. Withington 
testified, " The continual dew of a divine blessing is an expres- 
sion which best describes the effect of his instructions." Not 
long before his death my mother, then a young girl of seven- 
teen, went down to the parsonage to talk with her pastor about 
joining the church, her mother accompanying her. He said to 
her, " Mary, I wish there were many more to take this step." 
I quote the remark because it illustrates his desire for his peo- 
ple's salvation. My mother was the only one to unite with the 
church at that time, and she was the last one that Dr. Parish 
received. 

Dr. Parish was a diligent author as well as preacher and 
pastor. In connection with the Rev. Jedediah Morse he pub- 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 77 

lished a gazetteer of the world in 1801, a history of New Eng- 
land in 1809, and a geography in 18 10. The gazetteer and the 
geography passed through many editions in England, Scotland, 
and Ireland as well as America, and were translated into French 
and German. In connection with the Rev. Dr. David M'Clure 
he published in 181 1 a life of President Wheelock, the founder 
of Dartmouth College. He also published a geography of the 
Bible in 1813. I can testify from personal acquaintance with 
these books that their wide and prolonged popularity was well 
deserved. 

It is not surprising to learn that a man who accomplished 
so much should often give the young the motto, " Be covetous 
of time." It was a motto to which his whole life conformed. 
His application and what he accomplished were the more re- 
markable because his health was never robust, and he was sub- 
ject to almost daily paroxysms of pain which physicians could 
no more remove or explain than those of King Alfred, but he 
adapted himself to his limited strength. If he was to make a 
special effort at night he refrained from animated conversation 
throughout the day. His mind also was kindly elastic, more 
than rising in spontaneous energy to the equal of any unusual 
demand, so that he used to say that he had most leisure when 
he had most to do. He also always took time by the forelock, 
so that Sunday never found him unprepared. 

His usual salary during the later years of his ministry was 
$350 plus $75 for wood. He had a family of five children — 
just half the number that Providence granted to each of his 
predecessors. He supported his family honorably, and I doubt 
not gave away generously, but like those predecessors he was a 
thrifty country gentleman, and left, it was said in my childhood, 
an estate of $12,000, a property which seemed very large in 
those days in Byfield. It was commonly understood that his 
accumulations came from his books. 

Dr. Parish was a little man with a deep voice and a piercing 
eye. His motions were quick, his mind decided quickly, and 
he was prompt to utter his decisions. His wit was keen, 
severe at times, but he was ordinarily kindly and fluent in 



178 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

conversation so that he was charming company, but there was 
a native dignity in him that involuntarily impressed all who met 
him ; a child of his parish who subsequently became a clergy- 
man said, recalling the pastor of his boyhood, " I always felt 
an inch or two taller if Dr. Parish had spoken to me." The 
daughter of Dr. Tucker of Newbury who, like her father, did 
not sympathize with the theology of Dr. Parish, made this entry 
in her diary: "Jan., 4. 1790, Afternoon Parson Parish called 
and drank tea with us. He is a little sociable man and quite 
agreeable in conversation." John Quincy Adams in his diary 
under date of December 29, 1787, was severely critical of Dr. 
Parish's mind and manners, but Mr. Adams was just from 
Harvard and seems to have been unable to think that any good 
thing could come out of the infant frontier college of Dart- 
mouth. Dr. Parish's people had so profound respect and affec- 
tion for him that it seemed to them the most natural thing in 
the world to give him the leadership in everything. A lady who 
had lately moved into the parish said of the Ladies' Benevolent 
Society of that day, " Do you call this a female society with Dr. 
Parish for President, Dr. Parish to decide the disposition of the 
funds, and Dr. Parish to open the meetings with prayer?" Dr. 
Parish is reported to have said that he had never heard a mem- 
ber of his church offer prayer. Probably it would have been 
better for their development if he had insisted upon throwing 
more responsibility upon his people, but his overshadowing 
prominence in all their religious life is due to their choice 
rather than his own assumption. 



REVIEW OF EVENTS IN THE PARISH RESUMED. 

Mr. Parsons' son Eben had long before left his father's house 
to seek his fortune, with his worldly goods in a bundle in one 
hand and his shoes in the other — to save wear ; but as he 
went away from Byfield he said, " When I get money enough 
I am coming back to buy that Dummer pasture and live there." 
Providence wonderfully prospered him, so that in 1801 he could 
buy the "Dummer pasture," and in 1802 erect the noble man- 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 79 

sion which has been the pride of the old parish for a century. 
A check-book found in the attic of the mansion in recent years 
shows that the massive walls alone cost him $85,000.00, but 
tradition says that he paid for the place with the profits of a 
single voyage of one of his ships. He could not have the joy of 
welcoming his parents to his new home, for they had both 
already entered " the house not made with hands," but his 
filial piety named the estate " Fatherland Farm." Mr. Parsons 
at that time lived on Summer Street in Boston, where he had 
considerable land including a pasture for two cows, but he 
made frequent visits to Byfield, driving out in a coach with 
liveried servants. After the death of his wife in 18 10 he made 
Fatherland Farm his home until his own death in 1819 at the 
age of seventy-three. Mr. Parsons set a tempting table, and 
some Byfield Munchausen said that Dr. Parish wore a path so 
deep from the parsonage to Fatherland Farm going over to 
eat turkey dinners that only the hat of the little minister could 
be seen as he walked along the path ; but however often he 
went we may be sure that his genial wit and heavenly wisdom 
were accepted by his host as a full recompense for the bounti- 
ful hospitality. For several years Mr. Parsons entertained 
the Trustees of the Academy annually with a " generous " 
dinner. He was a great benefactor of Byfield and the country 
at large by his enthusiasm in agriculture. He imported choice 
breeds of cattle, sheep, and swine, also improved varieties of 
grain and grasses, and scions of foreign fruit, and ornamental 
trees and shrubs. The beautiful mantel-piece of Italian marble 
with its exquisite agricultural reliefs in the parlor at Fatherland 
Farm was given to him by the Massachusetts Agricultural So- 
ciety in grateful recognition of his services to agriculture. 

Two years before his death Mr. Parsons offered to give the 
parish a new bell " from eight hundred and fifty pounds weight 
and upwards." The parish unanimously accepted the proposi- 
tion in a beautiful letter expressing their appreciation of his 
generous offer of 

a bell of sufficient magnitude to be heard by the Inhabitants thereof 
in all their dwellings thereby aiding that uniformity and punctuality in 



180 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

assembling in the House of God so desirable to the friends of order 
and public worship, praying that the consolations of the Gospel may be 
his support and comfort in his declining years . . . and that he may 
hereafter reap his full reward in that heavenly Temple . . . where the 
inhabitants . . . need no such help to call them to the more pure and 
perfect worship of God. 

At the same time Mr. Parsons gave the parish a piece of 
land to enlarge their burying-ground. Toward the close of his 
life he engaged in a game of chess, with Sir William Hunting- 
ton of England, each sending his move alternately by " the 
slow sailing mail packets." Both were experts in chess, and the 
moves and counter moves had already lasted three years when 
the death of Mr. Parsons " ended the game." 

With the new century there came a great quickening of 
the missionary spirit, and Dr. Parish and his people were in the 
forefront of the forward movement. I have found in one of our 
Washington homes the Massachusetts Missionary Magazine for 
1804. This book affords interesting proof of the missionary spirit 
of Byfield. Dr. Parish was one of the editors of the magazine ; 
and he and at least nine of his people were members of the 
Massachusetts Missionary Society, then in its fifth year, which 
published the magazine. Its pages show that the "Cent Institu- 
tion," whose members were ladies that gave a cent a week to 
missions, received that year "from ladies in Byfield" $15.44, 
that two ladies of Byfield also forwarded through Mr. Solomon 
Stickney to the Massachusetts Missionary Society $1.45, and 
that Dr. Parish sent in " from his society" $19.30; so there is 
acknowledged from Byfield, in all for missions in that volume, 
at least $36.19. This was six years before the American Board 
was formed. Certainly such a record so early in the mission- 
ary movement is highly commendable. 

From February, 1803, to April, 1805, wood was sold from 
the Newbury Fund land amounting to $1,139.03, and during 
that time there was paid out to Moses Colman for rum for the 
wood auctions on one occasion $1.17, and on another occasion 
$1.50. By such sales of wood the fund has grown from genera- 
tion to generation. 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. l8l 

In 1806 the parish voted "to choose a large and respectable 
committee to . . . enforce the laws of this Commonwealth for 
the due observance of the Lord's Day." A committee of 
twelve was chosen, with the name of Joseph Pike first, and 
the assessors were desired to use their influence to have the 
members of the committee made tithing-men by the towns 
of Newbury and Rowley. The same year the Newburyport 
Turnpike from Newburyport to Boston was opened. It ran 
through Byfield and no doubt absorbed some Byfield money. 
The cost was $417,000.00, and there was never, it was said, 
but one sale of stock made. Straightness was the one thing 
aimed at, in utter forgetfulness that it is no farther to go 
around a hemisphere than to go over it, and that the former 
journey is vastly easier. So steep were the grades, especially 
in Topsfield, that soon no drivers could be found bold enough 
to drive its whole length, and the great enterprise that had 
cost so much and awakened such golden anticipations fell flat. 
There is an interesting account of it in the " Standard History 
of Essex County," page 35. 

Even in the midst of the war neither politics on the one hand 
nor the spiritual side of religion on the other could absorb the 
energies of the Byfield pastor and his flock ; hence they formed 
"the Moral Society " of 18 14, with forty-five members and Dr. 
Parish for President, some of the officers and members being 
from outside the parish bounds. The preamble to the con- 
stitution says, "... our beloved country is shrouded in dark- 
ness . . . But the crisis demands more than tears. Profanity, 
Intemperance and Sabbatk-breaking have risen to an awful 
height." They proposed to use " persuasion and caution " as 
" the first and chief means," but if these proved ineffectual, " to 
aid and strengthen the arm of the law." I give the sixth 
article in full because it shows the progress of temperance 
sentiment and also an effort to curb extravagance in funerals: 

VI, We agree to forbear from the unnecessary use of ardent spirits, 
particularly on social occasions, and when transacting public business, 
and at funerals. We will further, use our influence to prevent the 
appointment of funerals on the Sabbath, when consistent with safety, 



1 82 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

and to discountenance unreasonable expense in entertainments on these 
occasions, and in mourning dress. 

In 1813 the Philendian Society of Bradford, composed of 
young ladies, opened a school at Great Rock which is about 
a mile from the Byfield station and the parish line. The school 
however, no doubt drew pupils from within the parish. " Here," 
says the " Memorial of Bradford Academy," " was missionary 
work indeed, among the poor and illiterate where there was 
no sound of a church-going bell, where the Sabbath was dis- 
regarded and the claims of a divine law almost ignored." 
There were however in that region some good Christian fami- 
lies. Dr. Parish gave the enterprise warm endorsement. He 
closes a letter dated April 28, 1813 and addressed to Miss Mary 
Hasseltine with the words, 

Accept my highest respects for your society, and the cordial assur- 
ance of all that aid and support of the contemplated school, which my 
feeble health and other duties will permit. 

With great respect I am, yours, 

E. Parish. 

In this school mental education and morals received attention, 
but the supreme aim was to bring pupils to Christ. Miss 
Abigail C. Hasseltine, who was subsequently to be the emi- 
nently successful teacher in Bradford Academy for nearly half a 
century was the first teacher, and when her health temporarily 
failed because of her excessive devotion to the work, her sister 
Mary followed her for three years ; she was succeeded by a 
young man from Phillips Academy. So great a blessing 
attended the labor of these devoted youth that " the whole 
aspect of the village " w r as changed. 

1 8 16 was long noted as " the cold year." I suppose that 
to have been the year of which the tradition still lingers in 
Byfield that there was frost every month. Coming so soon 
after the war it must have added to the hardness of the times. 

For a wonder Byfield did not have the first Sunday-School, 
for it was not until 181 8 that the church recommended "the 
opening of a Sabbath School." 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 83 

About 1806 a female seminary — the first, it is said, in the 
State — was opened in the Sleigh meeting-house which, as has 
been already stated, had been removed to its present location. 
The life of this seminary only covered some fifteen years, but 
in that short space it included on its roll of pupils some of the 
noblest names in the missionary and educational annals of 
America, such as Ann Hasseltine, afterwards Mrs. Judson, 
Harriet Atwood, better known as Mrs. Harriet Newell, Miss 
Zilpah Grant, and Miss Mary Lyon. The school and the 
parish had such an odor of sanctity that as far away as Bangor 
Byfield was thought as near heaven as any spot on earth. The 
school was most flourishing when the Rev. Joseph Emerson 
was Principal, which was about the period from 18 18 to 1821. 
It was in this last year that Mary Lyon was a pupil in the 
school. That woman, of whom it has been said that hers " was 
the most fruitful life lived by any woman in the nineteenth cen- 
tury," said that she owed more to Mr. Emerson than to any 
other teacher. After his death she used to refer to him as 
" my beloved teacher, now in heaven." May providence long 
spare the structure that has such associations with choice and 
saintly womanhood as the old Byfield Seminary building ! 

The introduction of a stove into the meeting-house proved 
a long and difficult problem. In Dr. Parish's fourth year, the 
parish had voted to give up space for " Building a Brick Stove 
provided the parish know no Cost in building the Same and 
the Parish have the liberty of removing s- Stove whenever they 
think best." Probably nothing came of this vote, but, on Jan- 
uary 9, 1822, some thirty-one years after, they again grappled 
with the problem and " Voted To place a Stove in the Meet- 
ing House the present season." " Voted To raise $75.00 for 
that purpose: Voted The money be immediately assessed: 
Voted Treasurer authorized hire money for the immediate pur- 
chase." The need seems to have been urgent; probably there 
was a cold snap. The stove was put in, and Capt. Daniel Noyes 
was paid $18.80 for building " a chimney to the meeting-house." 
But their troubles as to the stove were not over, for a year 
later it was " Voted To Choose a Committee of three to take 



1 84 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

such measures to conduct the smoke from the Stove as they 
may think proper." As lately as my boyhood the meeting- 
house was poorly heated, and my grandmother used to stop 
at our house to replenish her foot-stove to make herself com- 
fortable during the services. 

The hereditary military spirit of the parish found expression 
September 22, 1823, in the formation of the Byfield Rifles, " the 
first independent rifle corps of the United States," with eighty- 
six members. Major Dudley from West Point was its efficient 
drill master, and Ira Stickney of Long Hill, then a young man 
of twenty-six years, its martial-looking and able captain. Its 
standard, which is still preserved by Mrs. J. C. Peabody, was 
surmounted with a tomahawk. Possibly that is the very stand- 
ard which was presented by the students of Dummer Academy 
to the Company six months after its formation. At the bi- 
centennial of Newbury in 1835 the Company showed itself a 
model " in appearance, drill and deportment." So high was 
its reputation, and so much coveted was membership in it that 
two young men who lived on Fruit Street in a house just outside 
the parish line slept in some building within the line to be eli- 
gible to its ranks. Its last commander was Capt. Green Wildes, 
whom I well remember as beloved by young and old. It was 
disbanded about 1845, but it fostered that military spirit which 
blossomed and fruited again so vigorously in 1861. 

In 1824 the parish voted that twenty men who were specified 
by name be a permanent choir with power to elect their leader; 
but it was added, " you com? however cannot forbear remarking 
that so far as has come to their knowledge Capt. Ira Stickney 
has the year past given the most pleasing satisfaction as a leader 
of the singing in publick." So Captain, afterwards Major, 
Stickney who was then only twenty-seven was already at the 
head of military and musical matters in the parish, and had that 
warm place in the hearts of his fellow-parishioners which he 
never lost. The vote continued that the choir have power to 
enlarge their number, but should use no instrument but a bass- 
viol — was a violin thought too frivolous? It was also voted 
" that those ladies who have of late sat in the singers Pew are 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 85 

respectfully invited to continue in the seats." If it had as many- 
women as men the choir would be forty strong. Under its 
efficient chorister it must have led the service of public praise 
with noble effect. 

October 6, 1825 — the week before Dr. Parish died — a cele- 
bration was held where the present station village is, under the 
auspices of the " Old Standing Company " in honor of the sur- 
viving " revolutionary soldiers of that vicinity." There was a 
procession in six sections conducted by two marshals. Rev. 
Mr. Braman of Georgetown offered prayer, and this was followed 
by a hymn written for the occasion by Rev. Dr. Parish. As 
this hymn was one of the last productions of this honored pastor 
of our parish I think my readers will be glad to have it given 
entire : 

Our country heard the march of foes, 
And in her mighty strength arose ; 
She called her sons, we heard the word, 
Nor feared the wrath of George the Third. 

The hastened march with panting breath, 
The fields of battle, blood and death, 
We oft endured to save our land 
From a fell tyrant's bloody hand. 

The mighty God went with our host, 
No soldier will presume to boast, 
He gave success, he crushed our foes, 
And still his favor he bestows. 

The scene how changed ! Instead of toil, 
And blood, and burning towns, and spoil ; 
We sit around the festal board, 
And praise the goodness of the Lord. 

An oration which was deservedly praised as " spirited and 
patriotic " was delivered by John Bayley, a member of the Com- 
pany. In that oration he says of the organization, " So ancient 
and honorable has been our existence, that the mouldy records 
of time furnish no clew to date an anniversary." So this Com- 
pany was not the Byfield Rifles, but an old militia organization 
which began in the early days for protection, as the oration 
elsewhere shows, against the Indian. "An excellent dinner" 
was spread in "Mr. John Pearson's Hotel" "in good style." 



1 86 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

The venerable survivors of the Revolution who were the guests 
of honor were Richard Kent, Oliver Goodridge, Moses Chase, 
Joseph Brown, Aaron Rogers, Josiah Adams, Joseph Floyd, 
Nathaniel Pearson. It illustrates the broad spirit that Dr. 
Parish had fostered that the first of the seven volunteer toasts 
should have been " By the President. Foreign Missions, though 
at present like the cloud that the servant of Elijah saw, may 
they like that spread till they cover the whole earth." The 
entire celebration seems to have been characterized by enthusi- 
asm and good taste, and to have been admirably fitted to honor 
the heroes of the day and to promote patriotism. 1 

PROMINENT PARISHIONERS. 

I speak but briefly of the Preceptors of Dummer Academy, 
for I hope that the one who now adorns the preceptorship — 
Mr. Home — may in the near future give the world a worthy 
history of the institution. Master Moody was followed by 
Master Smith. I wish that alongside of Mr. Cleaveland's some- 
what depreciatory estimate of Mr. Smith in his centennial ad- 
dress there might be put the revelation of his character and 
the tribute to his worth in President Woods' sketch of Pro- 
fessor Cleaveland. He writes in that sketch : " The Preceptor 
of the Academy at this time was the Rev. Isaac Smith, who 
though esteemed inferior to his immediate predecessor, the 
renowned and eccentric Master Moody, as a disciplinarian and 
teacher of Latin and Greek, was regarded as much his superior 
in general scholarship and polite culture, having had the ad- 
vantage of a residence of several years in England, and of a 
large library which he had collected there. No institution could 
be better for one who was disposed to make improvement." 

Mr. Smith was followed in succession by Dr. Allen, Dr. 
Abbott, Mr. Adams, and Dr. Cleaveland. One of Dr. Allen's 
pupils was Benjamin Apthorp Gould, who revolutionized the 
Boston Latin School. The writer of this history cherishes a 

1 An Address Delivered October 6, copy before me belongs to Mr. W. H. 
1825, to the Old Standing Company in Morse. 
By field &c. Newburyport, 1825 — The 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 87 

grateful regard to Dr. Gould not only as the editor of the edition 
of Virgil which was a delightful text-book of his school days but 
also as his kind personal friend. Dr. Gould was an enthusiastic 
admirer of his teacher, Dr. Allen. Dr. Abbott and Mr. Adams 
were both worthy men. Mr. Adams was a native of Georgetown, 
and a great-grandson of Captain Abraham and Anne (Long- 
fellow) Adams. The school prospered during his brief admin- 
istration, which was cut short by his premature death. Mrs. 
Adams was his invaluable coworker for his pupils in the home 
and greatly endeared herself to them. She was a Wheelwright 
of Newburyport ; so Mr. Isaac W. Wheelwright was not the 
first of his family to lay Byfield under great obligation. The 
memorable Preceptorship of Dr. Cleaveland began in 1821, but 
as it was destined to continue its beneficent career until 1840, 
it seems more proper to defer extended mention of him to a 
later period. 

The home of Thomas Gage, Esq., is now the Georgetown 
Almshouse. His name is very prominent in the parish records. 
He represented his town in the Legislature for at least fifteen 
terms, and wrote the excellent history of Rowley which bears 
his name. 

These pages have shown how worthy a part Joseph Pike 
took in parish affairs. The cellar of his house is on the hill 
north of Mr. Daniel Dawkins', on the west side of the road. He 
was a descendant in the sixth generation from John Pike the 
emigrant. One of this John's sons was " the worshipful Major 
Robert Pike " of Salisbury, the friend of Quakers, witches, and 
all oppressed people. Major Robert is said to have been " a 
man of great decision of character," and our Joseph had this 
family trait. When Luther Moody came into the parish as 
a young man, an older person gave him this advice, " Moody, 
if you want to succeed you must have firmness — I don't mean 

obstinacy, like Joe Pike's." Mr. Pike said once, "They 

all hate me, but I notice that when they get into trouble 
they all come to me." He had a large family of worthy chil- 
dren. His sons all left Byfield, but his daughters all married 
in the parish and had many children. Maj. Ira Stickney and 



1 88 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the two brothers, Rev. M. P. and Mr. S. W. Stickney, who will 
receive notice in the next chapter were among his grandchil- 
dren, and Mrs. G. H. Dole who is with us in the summer, 
Mrs. Daniel Dawkins, Mr. Brunswick Stickney the noted lawyer 
of Vermont, and the writer of this history are some of his great- 
grandchildren. 

Dr. Parker Cleaveland lived on Warren Street between Mr. 
Charles Nelson's large barn and the road. He was born in 
Ipswich, October 14, 1751, and began the practice of medicine 
in Danvers at the early age of sixteen. At nineteen he removed 
to Byfield. When his country called to arms he promptly 
responded, serving as surgeon. His father and two of his 
brothers were with him in the army, his father being chaplain. 
After a year's service he returned to Byfield, where he practised 
in all some fifty-five years. He was an eager and life-long 
student in his profession and a wise and devoted practitioner. 
The town and the parish called him to fill many an office. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for forty years, represented the 
town in two legislatures, and was a member of the State con- 
stitutional conventions of 1780 and 1820. Only two others had 
the honor to sit in both of these widely separated assemblies, 
one of them being John Adams, who between the two conven- 
tions was President of the United States. Dr. Cleaveland was 
deeply interested in theological questions and was a steadfast 
Christian. He is said to have had too much dignity and too 
little tact for the highest success, but I never heard his name 
mentioned by those who knew him save with high respect. 
He is best known as the father of his namesake the distinguished 
Bowdoin professor. He died February 10, 1826. 

Paul Pillsbury lived where Mr. Herbert Witham does. The 
house, that precious memorial of pioneer days, has already 
been described, and two of Mr. Pillsbury's earlier inventions 
have been mentioned. He was a native of West Newbury, but 
in his early manhood he inherited his Byfield home from his 
uncle Mr. Dickinson — my grandmother used to speak of the 
house as the Dickinson house. Mr. Pillsbury was one of a 
family of seven sons and one daughter. The family was marked 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 89 

by unusual strength of mind and character. More than one 
besides Paul showed remarkable mechanical ability. One was 
the father of Parker Pillsbury the abolitionist ; two others, 
Enoch and Phineas, were clergymen. I have quoted from Dr. 
Parish's sermon at the ordination of Enoch. Paul was the first 
one of his Company to enlist for the war of 18 12. His physical 
strength was wonderful ; he once shouldered and carried a 
cannon weighing seven hundred pounds. As to religion he 
was thought to be a freethinker; but if my memory serves me 
he was in my boyhood a regular church-goer. His most noted 
invention was a machine for making shoe-pegs. The shoe- 
maker used to saw off pieces of maple wood and then split 
and whittle out his pegs. One day Mr. Pillsbury happened 
to be in the manufactory of his neighbor Mr. Moses Stickney 
the father of Rev. M. P. Stickney and Mr. S. W. Stickney — the 
shop is now the summer residence of Mr. George H. Dole, but 
it stood then on the fiat-iron space in front of Mr. Dawkins'. 
Mr. Stickney was laboriously whittling out pegs and he said to 
his caller, " Pillsbury, you can invent anything, why don't you get 
up a machine for making pegs?" The remark proved a seed 
sown in fruitful soil. For three years Mr. Pillsbury brooded and 
toiled over the problem, and piece by piece he mortgaged all his 
farm for money to carry on his investigations, but the result was 
the peg machine that revolutionized the shoe business and con- 
ferred a great boon on his fellow-men. Strange to say he never 
patented the machine — yet it is not so strange when we think 
of the processes to be gone through and the expense and his 
straitened circumstances. But even without a patent he had 
so large a sale for his pegs that he was able to redeem his farm 
from every incumbrance. He used to sell his pegs for eight 
cents a quart or $2.00 a bushel. He became known by the un- 
dignified, but not uncomplimentary term "Peg" Pillsbury. 
Mr. Pillsbury's house was a museum of machines that he in- 
vented for war and peace, for the quiet homestead and the 
California gold mine. Like his father he had a family of seven 
sons and one daughter. He was a severe parent and his boys 
left home as soon as possible. One of them, Oliver, put on 



190 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

two suits of clothes one Sunday morning and left the house 
under the pretext of doing some household chore and went to 
sea, where he rose to be captain. He did not return for nine 
years, when the greeting, I am glad to say, was most affectionate 
on both sides. The only daughter was a girl of rare excellence 
of mind and heart. She was graduated at Bradford Academy, 
and became a most devoted and successful teacher of the blind 
in Boston and Marietta, Ohio. Mr. Pillsbury's second wife was 
the widow of Benjamin Pike, the mother of Gen. Albert Pike. 
She was beautiful in person, gifted in mind, and a sincere 
Christian, a devoted mother to her step-children. Mr. Pillsbury 
lived to be so old that I have hardly known in which period to 
describe his life. He died January 31, 1868, at the advanced 
age of eighty-eight years and eight months, being at his death 
the oldest man in town. I remember him as a tall, powerfully 
built man, much bent from age, and leaning upon his staff, 
with white locks and well-preserved conspicuous teeth. All 
my recollections of him are very pleasant. He was still busy 
with this and that invention, and very kindly saw fit to make 
me his confidant. Would that I had appreciated my oppor- 
tunity and had drawn from his rich stores of reminiscence ! 

Capt. Daniel Chute was an influential and worthy parishioner 
in the pastorates of both Mr. Parsons and Dr. Parish. He was 
parish clerk for thirty-three years. He was born in 1722, and 
died in 1805. His home was that of the late James C. Peabody, 
who was his great-grandson. His wife, Mrs. Hannah (Adams) 
Chute, must have been a woman of queenly mind and heart, 
for Dr. Parish said of her, that " next to Geo. Washington he 
knew none more fit to govern this nation than she." 

The second Dea. Benjamin Colman was a very enterprising 
citizen. He was born July 27, 1752, and died February 20, 
1847, at the great age of ninety- four. He was one of the 
twenty-eight boys with whom Master Moody began the Acad- 
emy. He married Mary Chute of Byfield, and lived where 
Miss Lucy Tenney does now. In 1805 he bought the Sleigh 
meeting-house and fitted it up for a school. The advertise- 
ment which I give in the appendix announces it as for " both 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. I91 

sexes," and Mr. E. P. Searle tells me that he attended there, 
but at the height of its renown it was a female seminary, 
and there is reason to doubt whether boys were admitted at 
any time until after Mr. Emerson's departure. At one time Mr. 
Colman lived in the lower part, while the school was kept in 
the second story, which was reached by an outside stairway. 
Mr. Colman moved from there to Boston, and kept a boarding- 
house. From Boston he returned to Byfield, and built him a 
new house and barn. The house is the present parsonage ; he 
also built, or bought and moved there another building, in 
which he sold " West India goods and groceries." This third 
building was moved to a spot opposite the meeting-house, and 
became the first Byfield vestry. It was subsequently moved to 
Georgetown, and is the dwelling-house now occupied by Mr. 
Ernest Adams. It is said to have taken six barrels of rum to 
dig the cellar of the new house and erect the buildings. At 
one time Mr. Colman also had a shoe factory near Colman's 
Spring. The building was afterward moved, and is now the 
house of Mr. Daniel Dawkins. Deacon Colman was also 
postmaster. 

Deacon Colman's brother Moses was born November 19, 
1755. He was mentioned in the chapter on Mr. Parsons minis- 
try for his patriotic ministrations to the suffering soldiers at 
Valley Forge. He lived on the old Colman homestead until 
the house was burned March 27, 1827. The fire was caused by 
the carelessness of a maid who swept out the brick oven with a 
broom and then set the broom against the house outside — but 
there were embers in the broom. After the ancient mansion 
was burned he bought the place where Mr. Charles F. Knight 
now lives, and lived there until his death August 27, 1837, in 
his eighty-second year. He was a farmer and butcher. He is 
noted for his enormous weight, three hundred and sixty-five 
pounds, — a pound, he said, for every day of the year. He said 
he would rather die of a feast than a famine. He had a wagon 
specially made for him with a very low body. On this he used 
to ride about his farm. A small boy slept with him one bitter 
cold night, and dare not lie against him lest his big partner 



192 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

should turn and crush him, and so he shivered all night for 
Mr. Colman was such a mountain that the bed-clothes sloping 
from him did not touch the boy. He had a bedstead as well as 
a wagon made for his own particular use. Once in his old age 
the giant rolled out of bed and they had to bring in a great 
barn door and roll him upon that, and then lift up the door 
and replace him in bed. He deserves double credit that de- 
spite his obesity he manifested a true Colman enterprise. He 
was large-hearted as well as large in body. He used to hail 
passers by and ask them to come in and get something to eat. 
I am greatly indebted to his grandson, Mr. J. C. Colman, who 
loved him dearly, for reminiscences of this interesting man. 

THOSE WHO WENT OUT FROM BYFIELD. 

Byfield continued to send out those who were influential in a 
broader sphere. Alfred VV. Pike was Joseph Pike's youngest son. 
He became an eminent teacher, and was always interested in 
ambitious boys. I know of one such boy whose meagre library 
was augmented by more than one choice book, the gift of Mr. 
Pike. In 1826 he entertained the Byfield Rifle Company with 
" a sumptuous breakfast." Although he was an enthusiast in 
his profession and had some rare qualifications for it, he did not 
stay long in one place. Mr. Cleaveland said that he had 
" many admirable qualities," but " certain unfortunate idiosyn- 
crasies." Dr. Richard Spofford, of Newburyport, said that it 
was always a query in Alfred W. Pike's mind whether God made 
him or he made God. Miss Hannah F. Gould wrote the follow- 
ing sportive epitaph upon him : — 

Here Alfred, 't is said, 

Rests his logical head, 

From the noise of each wearisome elf; 

For having declined all the verbs he could find, 

He took to declining himself. 

His pupils in the Newburyport Academy showed their regard 
for his memory by erecting the stone which marks his grave in 
the new cemetery. 

On Thurlow Street, beyond old Mr. Kneeland's, but within 




MOSES COLMAN 
'755- l8 37 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 93 

the limits of Byfield, there is, I am told, a cellar where a family 
named Savary once lived. One of that family is said to have 
become king of the Bonin Islands — a small group in the Pacific 
Ocean, southeast of Japan. This is the only son of Byfield 
thus far thai: has worn a crown. 

John Foss is said to have lived on North Street. He was 
captured by the Algerine pirates and held by them for several 
years. On his release he wrote a book which reached a second 
edition. Though it has small literary merit, it gives a graphic 
picture of the sufferings which befell such captives. 

Judith Stickney of Long Hill was the daughter of Amos 
Stickney, the niece of Benjamin, the revolutionary patriot, and 
the aunt of Maj. Ira Stickney. She married Simeon Dan- 
forth and with him emigrated to Ohio. The journey took six 
weeks and it seemed to her mother like a funeral to have her 
only daughter leave for that wilderness whose soil was reddened 
by so many desperate encounters with the Indians, some of 
them so disastrous and disheartening to the white pioneers; but 
Judith Stickney's stock took deep root in that western land, for 
she bore fourteen children, seven times as many as her mother. 

Prof. Parker Cleaveland was born in his father's house on 
Warren Street, January 15, 1780. He fitted for college with 
Master Smith in Dummer Academy, and was admitted to 
Harvard in 1795. Both his pastor and his teacher followed the 
lad with wise and kindly letters. The former wrote : " You 
must do violence to your own feelings not to be a scholar. 
Excuse my apprehensions, if I suggest that your religious 
interests are more exposed, and men of sensibility are disposed 
to conform to their associates. This amiable disposition is 
often a snare. Irreligious companions are dangerous." Mr. 
Smith's counsels were characteristic of a teacher : " My prin- 
cipal fears are, lest your easy temper and cheerful disposi- 
tion should make your contemporaries too fond of you, and 
induce them to court your society oftener than may be con- 
venient. I do not wish you to be a recluse ; but at all events, 
I would teach my classmates and companions at college that 
I must be master of my room and my time, and I would not 

13 



194 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

allow of encroachments upon either, too frequently or at im- 
proper hours. They will respect you the more, when they see 
you resolved not to give way to impertinent visits, but to keep 
the ends of the seminary where you are placed in view, and 
steadily pursuing them." Mr. Cleaveland found what proved 
to be his life-long home and work in his appointment to be 
Professor in Bowdoin College in his twenty-sixth year. Miner- 
alogy and chemistry became his specialties. When he left 
college, he did not know that there was more than one kind 
of rock in the world, but he became the highest authority in 
mineralogy in America, if not in the world. " I well re- 
member," said his half-brother the Rev. Dr. John P. Cleave- 
land, " the forenoon of a warm day in the first week in June 
in 1811 when he made his first visit to the Devil's Den in 
Newbury. ... It had been visited once before by a Professor 
from Harvard, and once by some Professor from foreign parts ; 
but its riches were reserved for my brother's eye. He returned 
to my father's house with one or two candle-boxes filled ; 
and my mother's kitchen was at once turned into a laboratory, 
and the floor strewed with fragments of every variety which 
the den yielded . . . No miser ever worshipped his money 
as he did these specimens. Many of them which I helped 
him reduce and pack up that day have long had a place in 
French, German, and Russian Cabinets." Professor Cleave- 
land was a fascinating lecturer. His style was clear, simple, 
and orderly, and his illustrations and experiments felicitous; 
his dress was very plain, but he had great natural dignity, 
and at the same time a vein of playful humor; permeating all 
was an enthusiasm that made him forget himself in his subject. 
Mr. Northend, who was a pupil of Professor Cleaveland, on what 
proved to be his last visit to our house, July 2, 1902, said of 
his teacher, " We all loved Professor Cleaveland. I suppose I 
went to Bowdoin on his account. Dr. Dwight of Portland [son 
of President Dwight of Yale] was a trustee and once at an 
examination put in a question. Professor Cleaveland at once 
put another. Dr. Dwight asked a second question, when the 
Professor said, ' Dr. Dwight, I prefer to examine my own 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 95 

students.' At the end of the examination he said to Dr. 
Dvvight and the class, ' I wish to explain my conduct. I think 
an honest teacher the best examiner of his class. If he is 
not honest, you had better get another teacher.' " Professor 
Cleaveland's scientific writings won him the commendation of 
men like Goethe, Brewster, Davy, Berzelius and Cuvier, mem- 
bership in sixteen scientific and literary societies, including 
those of the principal cities of Europe, and offers of professor- 
ship in many institutions including Dartmouth, Princeton, and 
Harvard. His students delighted in his transatlantic fame, but 
were a little troubled by the calls that came to him from more 
noted institutions that could offer larger salaries, but nothing 
could ever induce him to leave his beloved college amid the 
pines of Maine. With all his learning and with a piety of 
equal genuineness, he had a fear of physical harm that was at 
once ludicrous and pitiful. He would not cross a bridge until 
he had personally inspected it and long before his death he 
gave up the journey to Boston because he was obliged to make 
a " tedious detour through the upper counties to avoid the 
long and dangerous bridges on the lower route." The late 
Dea. S. S. Gardner of this city (Washington, D. C.), who 
like Mr. Northend was Professor Cleaveland's pupil, once told 
me that, " When a friend expressed surprise that a scientific 
man like him should take refuge in a thunder shower on a 
feather bed upon an insulated bedstead in the cellar he replied, 
' If you knew as much about electricity as I do you would be 
as frightened as I am.' " He was a public-spirited citizen and 
beneath a somewhat stern exterior he carried a warm heart 
that delighted in kind deeds. Although not a clergyman he 
was very religious. In addition to family worship he spent 
a short season each morning in private devotion whose savor 
was manifested in all the work of the day. He was in the 
harness that he loved until the end. When he grew too fee- 
ble to walk to his lecture room he went in his chaise, though 
his limbs were " swollen, his chest suffused and his sight 
almost gone." In these closing days of physical weakness the 
charm of his lectures continued and not a student was willing 



196 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

to lose a single one. He lectured two days before his death, 
the next day he was too feeble to do so, but the following 
morning he was getting ready to meet his students, " when at 
a few minutes after eight o'clock his discharge came from the 
only Power from whom he would accept it." This was Friday, 
October 15, 1858. He was in his seventy-ninth year and had 
been Professor in Bowdoin fifty-three years lacking eight days. 
He has a fitting memorial in the Brunswick cemetery, a massive 
block of granite, but his noblest monument is in the minds and 
characters that he moulded. A visit to Brunswick after Pro- 
fessor Cleaveland's death called forth from his illustrious pupil, 
Mr. Longfellow, this tribute to his memory: 

PARKER CLEAVELAND. 
(Written on revisiting Brunswick in the summer of 1875.) 

Among the many lives that I have known, 

None I remember more serene and sweet, 

More rounded in itself and more complete 
Than his who lies beneath this funeral stone. 

These pines that murmured in low monotone, 

These walks frequented by scholastic feet, 

Were all his world : but in this calm retreat 
For him the teacher's chair became a throne. 

With fond affection memory loves to dwell 
On the old days when his example made 

A pastime of the toil of tongue and pen : 
And now amid the groves he loved so well, 

That naught could lure him from their grateful shade, 

He sleeps, but wakes elsewhere, for God hath said, Amen ! 

And Prof. Parker Cleaveland was born in Byfield ! 

Three Searle brothers went forth from Byfield during this 
period to bless the world as ministers of the gospel, — Thomas 
C, Joseph, and Moses C. They were sons of Mr. Joseph 
Searle, and uncles of Messrs. Elijah P. Searle and L. Richmond 
Moody. They were born in Mr. Moody's house. Thomas C. 
was graduated from Dartmouth in 18 12. He was an able 
and eloquent preacher whose zeal to win what was then the 
far West to Christ took him to Indiana as a pioneer missionary. 
He preached there incessantly and at the same time taught an 



DECEMBER, 17 S3, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 197 

Academy, but his excessive labors quenched the burning and 
shining light October io, 1 82 1 . His widow, Annette, " a woman 
of rare excellence of character," the daughter of Professor 
Woodward of Dartmouth, followed him into the better country- 
only a little over two years after. Joseph was graduated from 
Dartmouth in 181 5, and became a pastor in Maine. He like- 
wise died young. A granddaughter of his, Miss Susan Searle, 
is the principal of a Congregational mission school in Kobe, 
Japan. Moses C. was graduated at Princeton and terminated 
his useful life while serving his native parish as will be related 
further on. A son of his, Dr. William Searle of Brooklyn, was 
Henry Ward Beecher's physician. 

John Searle Tenney was born January 1, 1793, in the old 
Tenney house now owned by Mr. Creighton, north of Long 
Hill. He was the nephew of Congressman Samuel Tenney 
mentioned in the previous chapter. He made his way from 
the farm first to Dummer Academy and then to Bowdoin Col- 
lege. Twice he sought the office of Preceptor of the Academy, 
but in vain. " He would have made," says Preceptor Cleave- 
land, " undoubtedly a good school-master but what would have 
become of the Chief-Justiceship?" He filled this office for 
many years in Maine and won universal respect by the justice 
and wisdom of his decisions. A tender attachment that years 
could not weaken bound him to his birthplace, and he used 
to dream of returning to it to spend his old age. He reserved 
one room in the old house for his own occupancy. A crushing 
blow befell him in his old age in the death of his oldest son, 
Samuel W., a youth of great promise who had chosen the min- 
istry for his calling and was already I believe in the Theological 
Seminary. He died here 1 in Washington in 1864 of typhoid 
fever contracted in the service of the Christian commission while 
ministering to our sick and wounded soldiers. He was tenderly 
cared for in his closing days by Mr. William Ballantyne, 
now one of our venerable and most honored citizens. Five 
years later the Chief-Justice followed his son within the veil. 

1 Part of this book is written in Washington, my home for eight months of the 
year, and part in Byfield. 



198 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

He had a tall, commanding presence befitting his intellectual 
superiority. The older people of Byfield recall his noble figure 
as he sat in pew No. 41 when he chanced to spend a Sunday 
in his native parish. 

The Rev. John P. Cleaveland, half-brother of Professor 
Cleaveland, was an able preacher who was called to prominent 
pastorates. 

Richard Chute, impelled by the Byfield spirit of enterprise 
and probably the needs of his family, went forth from the old 
Chute house by the church, somewhere between 1816 and 1820 
with a brother, each with a load of shoes whose pegs had been 
toilsomely whittled out by hand. His brother went to Evans- 
ville, Ind., but he pushed on to St. Louis. He never came 
back but died in St. Louis, October 24, 1820, leaving a widow 
and five young children. The widow was of good Byfield stock 
— Dorothy Pearson, aunt of the late Benjamin Pearson, and she 
reared her family respectably and well, one, Ariel Parish, to 
become the well known preacher, another, Benjamin P., to be a 
teacher more than forty years, both college graduates. 

Paul Moody was born May 23, 1779. He was a descendant 
of William Moody the emigrant, and the sixth of the seven 
sons of Capt. Paul Moody. He is the only one of the seven 
whose name does not appear in the catalogue of Dummer. He 
got his education amid the hum of machinery and the rush of 
waterfalls. At twelve he decided that he was not made to be 
a farmer and would support himself. The jealous mechanics 
at the woollen mill shortly after set up at the Falls would not 
teach him how to run a loom, but the keen eye and keener 
brain of young Paul were too much for all their precautions 
and he was soon master of the trade. He went hither and 
thither in his early life whithersoever our infant manufactures 
beckoned him. He became the close friend of Francis Lowell 
whose great mathematical genius was of inestimable value to the 
young mechanic. The list of his patents is long and remark- 
able. The new settlement of Lowell became his permanent 
home and the arena of his inventive triumphs. Edward Everett 
once said of him, " To the efforts of his self-taught mind the 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 1 99 

early prosperity of the great manufacturing establishments in 
Waltham and Lowell was in no small degree owing." The 
moral as well as the material welfare of the community was 
much indebted to him. He united with the Episcopal Church 
and was the stanch supporter by precept and example of tem- 
perance, Sabbath observance, and church attendance. When 
he was cut down after a three days' illness at the age of fifty- 
two, Lowell experienced a great shock and mourned for a great 
bereavement. 

John Dummer, twelve years younger, should be commemo- 
rated with Paul Moody, for his genius drew the eye of Mr. Moody 
who made him his inseparable companion. All the wheel-work 
of Mr. Moody's mills was intrusted to John Dummer. He 
finished his wheels like cabinet work, so that one of them was 
a thing of beauty, and when a new one was completed the city 
flocked to see it. He was a unique character. His bump of 
caution was so large that he did not marry his excellent wife until 
he had proved her worth by a thirteen years' engagement. He 
never gave her an allowance, but there was always money in a 
certain drawer to which she could go at her pleasure. He 
would never take a cent of interest, believing it unscriptural, 
and so a chest of his became his bank of deposit, and when he 
decided to build a new house he had three thousand dollars in 
that chest. How strange that no thief ever relieved him of the 
treasure! He would not require his men to work by night; 
once when the company was disposed to insist on night work 
he quietly sent his men to their homes saying that he could n't 
find lamps that would give a strong enough light. He tolerated 
no Sunday work. Usually taciturn, he would talk with a friend 
upon some congenial theme — the wonders of astronomy, for 
instance, until the small hours of the morning. In his old age 
he returned to his native parish with his family — a wife and 
one son, Edward, my beloved college classmate, who inherits 
his father's mechanical genius. One of the pleasant recollections 
of my boyhood is Mr. John Dummer's presence in the church. 
His form was much bent and his locks were white as snow ; he 
never lingered in the vestibule and said little to any man on 



200 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

entering or leaving, but he was always there. He never joined 
the church, I suspect because he demanded too great evidence 
of conversion from himself. It is a pleasure to me to pay this 
tribute to the memory of the forceful, reticent, original John 
Dummer. 

THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE. 

Although the life of the period has incidentally appeared in 
what has been already written, there are some features of it that 
deserve fuller mention. Taxation for parish purposes did not 
come to an end in Massachusetts until 1833. Mrs. James O. 
Hale has preserved the following printed parish tax-bill : 





Byfield Parish, July 1st 1824, 




Mr 


. Benjamin Pearson 

Your Parish Tax for the year 1824 






Poll $ 


.66 




Personal Estate 


.72 




Real Estate ] 


[3.06 




Amount of Tax ] 


[4.44 




Six per cent Discount 


•55 



Received payment in full I 3-^9 

Daniel Noyes Treas. and Coll. 
N. B. — By a vote of the Parish a discount of 6 per cent 
will be allowed on all Taxes paid within 60 days — 
4 per cent on all paid within 90 days — and 2 per 
cent on all paid within 120 days from the date 
hereof. Daniel Noyes Treas. and Coll. 

There seems to be an error in the arithmetic of this tax- 
bill so that the heirs of Mr. Pearson appear to have a small 
claim on the heirs of Deacon Noyes unless the claim is out- 
lawed. There was a noted case of distraint for the parish tax in 
Byfield during this period. Mr. Joshua Dummer, an uncle of 
Mr. N. N. Dummer, attended church elsewhere and refused to 
pay to Byfield. His taxes accumulated year after year and 
finally his cow was taken and sold in partial payment and he 
was committed to jail for non-payment of the balance. He was 
an exemplary Christian man, and the case excited much in- 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 201 

dignation and helped prepare the way for abolition of religious 
taxation in the Commonwealth. There would seem to have 
been something peculiar in Mr. Dummer's case, possibly a 
refusal to be compelled to pay religious taxes anywhere, for as 
early as the time of the Sleigh society people were released 
from the Byfield parish tax who paid as much elsewhere. 

In the earlier years of Dr. Parish's pastorate the ministerial 
tax appears to have been nearly or quite equal to the civil tax. 
This indicates how generously our fathers provided for the 
support of the gospel and should stimulate us, their descend- 
ants, to see to it that our free-will offerings are not meagre. 
The deacons still held their seat of honor in public worship, 
and the tithing-men were still a terror to Sabbath-breakers. 

In reaction from the half-way covenant leniency, a minute 
inspection of one's experiences and as minute a narration of 
them became a requisite for admission to the church. This 
narration was often submitted in writing. There lie at my side 
as I write forty-seven of these written statements, on the thick, 
hand-made paper of our fathers. Capt. William Stickney, who 
lived where Mr. John Tilton does, had owned the covenant 
July 15, 1744, in his eighteenth year. Forty-four years later he 
presented his experience and was admitted to full communion. 
In his statement he expresses regret that he should have dared 
take that covenant upon him "while in a state of nature." He 
says that he had at times been "greatly alarmed" within a few 
years by the death of several near relatives, and that he per- 
ceives the holiness of God and his desert of eternal punishment, 
but that the righteousness of Christ can atone for all his sins, 
and so this man of about sixty-two years humbly asks to be 
admitted to the church. This was in 1788. 

Joseph Pike expresses his conviction that he ought to " ac- 
knowledge God in Christ before men," and " to obey all Christ's 
commands," and says that he had been brought by reading 
Edwards' sermon on the justice of God in the damnation of 
sinners to accept " a Free Salvation by Jesus Christ," and so 
he seeks admission to the church if he is deemed " worthy." 
He was likewise received in 1788, being then thirty-one years 



202 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

old. Hannah Chute, who was the daughter of Capt. Daniel 
Chute, the wife of the Rev. Ariel Parish, brother to our Dr. 
Parish, and the grandmother of the late Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, 
D.D., of Ware, states that she has been led by the " solemnities 
of death " to feel that " it is of the greatest importance to 
become religious." She charges herself with great unworthi- 
ness, but recognizes the perfection that is to be found in Christ. 
She humbly offers herself as a candidate for their communion, 
and asks their prayers that she may so live that when " called 
to give an account " she " may be admitted to join the heavenly 
Consort." She was admitted February 15, 1789, being nearly 
twenty-four years old. 

Dr. Parker Cleaveland, who was admitted April 24, 1788, at the 
age of thirty-six, in his statement confesses " the infinite 
Wickedness " of his heart, but adores the " Sovereign Grace " 
by which he has been " enabled to accept" God's " Method of 
Salvation." His reliance is upon " the infinitely meritorious 
Blood of the Son of God." He closes with the prayer " that 
the Redeemer's Kingdom may spread and prevail thro the 
whole inhabited World." 

Most of the statements would cover from two to four pages 
of letter size. But one of them, and the most remarkable, that 
of Daniel Hale, was very much longer. He was the son of the 
third Joseph — that is Deacon Joseph— Hale, and lived on the 
old Hale place by Dummer Academy. He was one of those 
who helped fill the Hale ledgers. He had been carefully trained 
in religious things by his parents, but had not, as he thought, 
chosen the good part when his father died. This was in 18 18, 
when this son Daniel was fifty years old. He conducted family 
prayers in his father's place, but was pained to think that there 
was now no one in the house " that could make a good prayer." 
Toward the close of the next year he heard that a revival had 
begun in the Rowley part of Byfield. " This," he writes, " I 
thought was the best news I ever heard in my life." January 
27, 1820, was a cold night, but he rode in a sleigh, taking his 
stepson George Thurlow, father of Mr. Thomas Thurlow, with 
him, " near four miles " to a cottage prayer-meeting. When 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 203 

he arrived his feet were very cold, but he would not go near the 
stove lest he should be noticed, and so he worked his way to 
the back seat in a dark corner. Among other exercises Mr. 
Joseph Pike made an address which Mr. Hale terms " the most 
cuting of all speeches I ever heard in my life." One remark 
in the address was that God was taking the children and grand- 
children, and leaving parents and grandparents. Mr. Hale 
thought himself one of those left, and suffered in anticipation 
the torments of the damned. The next day he was " concerned 
because he was unconcerned." After some days, he writes, 
" I thought that when I did go to Hell I would go silently, not 
opening my mouth by way of complaint. And when there I 
thought I would get into some private corner away from the 
Damned Crew and never complain." After some six or eight 
days of agony he began to hope that he had been converted, 
but he scrutinized his hope with the utmost vigor suspecting 
that it was a deception from Satan. When he became con- 
vinced that it must be genuine his raptures became as intense 
as his woes had been. He would wake before daylight full of 
joy and praise ; the tears would roll down his cheeks, for six 
hours in one instance without cessation, and he would retreat 
to his barn where he might wring his hands in holy ecstasy and 
shout hallelujah without disturbing his family. His anxious 
wife would follow him and beg him with tears to be more quiet 
lest he go distracted, and he fully expected to die of joy and 
he delighted in the anticipation. This intense experience oc- 
cupied in all some fourteen days. At intervals three times sub- 
sequently in his life he reviewed this record and again indorsed 
it ; his last indorsement reads : 

I have this day, Jan? 25, 1845, Read over the whole of the above of 
my experiences, — and subscribe to the truth of them all. No exagger- 
ation — no too high colouring. Daniel Hale. 

His record of his experiences covers thirty-six closely written 
manuscript pages, and has been highly prized by his relatives 
for generations. I was delighted to find it among Mr. Thurlow's 
treasures. One of his sons had lately read it with great pleas- 



204 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

ure. It is a kind of Pilgrim's Progress from the City of De- 
struction to the Delectable Mountains. It illustrates vividly 
the theologic cast of religion in those days, when nothing could 
be said strong enough in condemnation of human nature, and 
salvation was reduced to an exact system, and the sufferings 
and righteousness of Christ were thought to precisely balance 
our sins, and supply our need so that the forgiveness of sins 
became almost a meaningless phrase ; but there is no doubt as 
to the sincerity of those who thus " experienced religion," and 
on the whole a record like Deacon Hale's is very profitable 
reading, but many true followers of Christ were kept in lifelong 
doubt, and never dared offer themselves to the Church because 
they lacked the emotions on which so great stress was laid. 
Would that the sweet cheer of the hymn " Just as I am " might 
have been known to these long-doubting, self-inspecting, self- 
condemning souls. 

During this pastorate the church began to observe the Mis- 
sionary Concert of Prayer. This fact illustrates the broaden- 
ing horizon of the times. Family worship was maintained even 
where the head of the household was not " gifted in prayer." 
A worthy old gentleman, whose name figured honorably in the 
chapter preceding this, is reported on the authority of Judge 
Tenney, then a young boy, to have habitually used this form 
in family prayers : 

Bless me and bless my body, 

Bless my wife and bless Molly, 

Bless Thomas and prosper him, 

Bless Dudley and his offspring, 

Bless Sol in his store, 

And bless Sallie forevermore. Amen. 

At about the beginning of the period the annual session of 
the public school according to my grandmother's recollection 
lasted but nine weeks, and the teacher had the only arithmetic 
in the school, which was so much in pieces that it was strapped 
together. From its leaves he copied examples for his pupils. 

The people read solid literature. A Newburyport bookseller 
advertised in the Herald for December 12, 1797; Henry's 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 205 

" Commentary ; " Stackhouse's " History of the Bible," and 
"Body of Divinity ; " Watson's "Theological Tracts;" Cru- 
den's "Concordance;" Whitefield's Works ; Rollins' "Roman 
History," and " Ancient History; " " History of George III. ; " 
Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History;" "Dictionary of the 
Bible;" Doddridge's "Family Expositor;" Benjamin Mordi- 
cai's " Apology for Embracing Christianity;" Jortin's " Philo- 
logical Tracts ; " Boswell's "Johnson ; " " Law of Marine Insur- 
ance ; " and Sherlock's " Discourses." The entire list has neither 
fiction nor poetry. Boswell's " Johnson " is the only work of 
entertaining literature mentioned. 

Dr. Joshua Jewett, of Rowley, in 1801, charged Mr. Stephen 
Dole, of Byfield, for fourteen visits and medicine, $2.20 — a lit- 
tle less than sixteen cents a visit, the medicine being thrown in. 
One would infer that he could not afford to give much medicine 
at that rate, happily perhaps for the patient. Possibly the 
Doctor made a discount because he made these calls on the 
way to a school which he taught. 

The meeting-house bell was rung at noon, and at nine P. m. 
on week days, except Saturday night, when it was rung at eight, 
as it was on Sunday night. If they followed the hint of the 
Saturday night bell they would retire earlier than on other 
nights, and rise earlier on the Lord's Day morning, so that 
their household work and " chores " might be despatched be- 
times, and they be ready for the high duties and pleasures of 
"The first and best of days." 

The stage-coach rumbled through the parish down Warren 
Street, halting on its way at the " Top House," for the benefit 
(?) of the thirsty. There were two other taverns in Byfield, 
the Pearson tavern, now the residence of Mrs. E. C. Fergu- 
son, and the Boynton tavern on the turnpike, near where Mr. 
Buckley's house now stands. A loose sheet laid in one of 
the Hale account-books contains a protest to the selectmen 
against the Boynton tavern. The date is March, 181 1. It 
states that the tavern had been established for some time, but 
" doubts whether the distance from Newburyport to Rowley is 
so great as to render one necessary " between those towns. It 



206 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

charges that " the influence of this tavern is pernicious to the 
morals, the peace and comfort of some families in the vicinity," 
and it states that the remonstrants " are credibly informed 
that people are there at very unreasonable hours of the night," 
and that " even the holy Sabbath ... is profaned by per- 
sons who there pass the Sacred hours in an idle and disso- 
lute manner." The petitioners "therefore humbly pray that 
the license of Mr. Boynton may not be renewed." It would 
seem from this paper that everything was not 'saintly in Byfield, 
even in those good old days, but there was enough of courage 
and conscience to raise a protest. However, somehow, the 
tavern lived on. Mr. Cleaveland said of it in his day, that it 
" probably had now and then a customer, but " he doubted " if 
many called there a second time." 

Already the Parker yielded much smaller dividends of fish. 
What is apparently a copy of a petition to the Legislature, and 
bears the date of January 24, 1793, states, " That the River 
Parker in Newbury and the several branches that lead into said 
River in years past have abounded in Bass and Shad, which 
was a great benefit to the Inhabitants of this and the Neighbor- 
ing Towns in the Spring of the year, and more especially the 
Poor," but that winter fishing with large nets through the ice 
for bass, and the use of similar nets for shad in the spring had 
almost exterminated those fish. No mention is made in the 
petition of salmon ; probably they were already hopelessly 
gone. The legislature of that year gave the town leave to reg- 
ulate the fishing in the river, and this act was followed by seve- 
ral similar ones, but all to little effect. It seems impossible to 
have the same stream yield two large dividends, one to the 
manufacturer and the other to the fisherman. 



THE PASTOR'S DEATH. 

So the old parish pursued its way through another pastorate 
of nearly four decades. The farms were thoroughly tilled, the 
house of God well attended ; the parish became a manufactur- 
ing as well as an educational centre ; families were large, and 



DECEMBER, 1783, TO OCTOBER, 1825. 207 

emigration continued. But the time came when he whose elo- 
quence had been the pride of the parish must be yielded up by 
a reluctant people to receive the crown of glory promised the 
good pastor. Miss Emery's graphic letter, which was read at 
our bi-centennial, gives the pathos of what proved to be Dr. 
Parish's last sermon — his feebleness and his people's appre- 
hensions, grief, and stifled sobs. Miss Channell's diary affords 
a record of the closing days : — 

[1825] Oct. 2 Sabbath. Dr. Parish prt, but was not fit, quite indis- 
posed by a cold. . . . 

9. . . . Dr. Parish is very sick, fears are apprehended. 

13 Thursday. M. S. and myself walked down to Dr. P's. found 
that he is very sick, has a very heavy Typhus fever. [I presume we 
should call it typhoid.] 

Friday. Drs. Prescot and Noys met with uncle [Dr. Parker 
Cleaveland] they have no hope. 

15 [Sat.] 12 o'clock he breathed his last and has as we humbly 
hope entered his rest. 

19, Wednesday, just returned from the funeral of our dear Pastor, 
the meeting-house crowded full — an immense concourse of people, the 
church walked first, ministers of the association next before the body, 
after the mourners and people — pulpit and galleries hung in black. 
Mr. Perry made the first prayer, Mr. Withington prt. sermon — all was 
most excellent, it has been a most solemn day to us, he has gone to 
give an account of his preaching to us, and we shall soon follow 
to give an account of how we have improved. 

A sketch has already been given of the good man's work 
and gifts, his character and personal appearance. His long 
pastorate had ended, but his example, influence, and writings, 
lived on to bless the world, and his posterity still continues to 
serve their fellow-men and the kingdom that he loved. Some 
of the third generation are now rendering honorable service 
side by side with those of the fourth, and a fifth generation 
gives promise of useful fruitage. 

The first three pastorates were similar in length and spirit, 
the third would perhaps find its peculiar features in the elo- 
quence of its pastor and the inventive spirit of its people. We 
now bid good-by to the period of long pastorates, but when we 



208 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

reflect on the tender ties which they fostered between pastor 
and people and on the patient, persevering fidelity of each of 
the three pastors and on the solid worth of the community, 
that they led in paths of virtue and integrity, of patriotism 
and piety, we can but wish and pray that once more there may 
be granted to our parish a similar union to which some worthy 
minister shall consecrate his youth, and where he may remain 
with ever growing influence for good through many a long year, 
until the infirmities of age or the Master's call to a higher sphere 
shall release him from pastoral toil. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH TO THE DISMISSION 
OF MR. BROOKS (1825-1863). 

Pastors: Rev. Isaac R. Barbour, Dec. 20, 1827 — May 1, 1833; R ev - Henry 
Durant, LL.D., Dec. 25, 1833 — March 31, 1849; ^ ev - Francis V. Tenney, March 
7, 1850 — April 22, 1857; Rev. Charles Brooks, June 16, 1858 — Nov. 11, 1863. 

Special Authorities not mentioned in the general list: Material kindly furnished 
by President Wheeler, Professor Kellogg, and Mr. Henderson of the University of 
California. Rev. G. H. Tilton's " Memorial of Marshall Henshaw, D.D., LL.D." 
Poems of Albert Pike. Letters from Mrs. Willis P. Odell and the late Mrs. Sarah 
Hale Todd. Records of the Byfield M. E. Church. 

THE PASTORS. 

AS we glide down the stream of our parish history we now 
reach a point within the memory of a very few now liv- 
ing, and from this point the number of surviving participants in 
the events narrated will rapidly multiply. 

The list of pastors at the head of the chapter shows that our 
parish had left behind the era of long pastorates with their pro- 
found impress made upon the people, the tender reverential 
attachment to the pastor, and the influence of pastor and people 
upon the larger world which the life-long relationship made 
possible. Since Dr. Parish's death no pastor has died in 
office, and the longest pastorate has been a little over fifteen 
years. 

The loss of so eminent a pastor and the suddenness of the 
stroke would seem to have stunned the parish, so that for about 
a year the records indicate no effort to obtain a successor; then 
Rev. Jonathan Bigelow, Rev. Paul Couch, and Rev. Edwin Holt 
appear to have been called in rapid succession, but all declined. 
The fourth effort was more successful, and Rev. Isaac R. Bar- 
bour was settled December 20, 1827, after the church had been 
without a pastor for over two years. Mr. Barbour's pastorate 
was brief — less than five years and a half. He was a zealous 
reformer, and when one Benjamin Dow, who was charged with 

14 



2IO THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

illegally selling strong drink received a letter to a sister church 
without, as Mr. Barbour thought, making a satisfactory con- 
fession, he and thirteen other members remonstrated, and he 
resigned shortly after. It was the era of " protracted " or four 
days' meetings, of great awakenings and great ingatherings, and 
Byfield shared in the widespread blessing, no doubt with the 
minister's hearty co-operation. He received during his brief 
pastorate eighty-nine, thirty-seven being men and fifty-two 
women, and all but ten on confession. Among them were 
many of the men and women who were the strength of the 
church in my boyhood. Mr. Barbour was a brother of the wife 
of Dr. Root. 

Within eight months from Mr. Barbour's dismission Mr. 
Henry Durant was ordained and installed. Mr. Durant was 
born in Acton, Massachusetts, June iS, 1802, and was a graduate 
of the class of 1827 from Yale, where he was subsequently tutor 
for four years. In his later years Mr. Durant wrote : " I first 
became interested, as I trust savingly, in religion, when a boy, 
while living in the family of that most excellent man, and whole- 
hearted Christian brother, the Honorable Stevens Haywood of 
Acton, Mass. To the influence of this family I may attribute 
the beginning of my religious experience and my subsequent 
course of life. In this family religion appeared in a new light 

— nay, it was itself a new light, shining suddenly in a place 
where all had been darkness. There was a religion in the town 

— (there had been from the beginning) — a town religion, 
which like the town school, the town common, and the town 
pound was a mere municipal institution. . . . Religion as a 
power and a life was never taught nor thought of. . . . It was 
here that the idea was suggested and encouraged of my pre- 
paring for the Christian ministry." 

Horace Bushnell was Henry Durant's classmate and intimate 
friend, and was his guest in the historic Byfield parsonage. 
Another choice friend of this choice soul was Thomas Buchanan 
Read, the poet. His " Closing Scene," whose first thirteen 
stanzas Leigh Hunt pronounced " truly inspired" and superior 
to Gray's " Elegy," is said to have been written in the Byfield 



B*j}ielA and \Ve <Uja.t«w.t v^'cow x* 1830 
Covn)>i\e^ ^rovn tWe Yvi..ys oj Ro w U«j(How\c^ aw* (J Co v<i e t ow n) 




FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 211 

parsonage. Mr. Read paid at least two visits to Byfield. His 
" Sunlight on the Threshold " has so much Byfield color that 
I give it entire : 

Dear Mary, I remember yet 

The day when first we rode together, 
Through groves where grew the violet, 

For it was in the Maying weather. 

And I remember how the woods 

Were thrilled with love's delightful chorus, 

How in the scented air the buds 

Like our young hearts, were swelling o'er us. 

The little birds in tuneful play, 

Along the fence before us fluttered; 
The robin hopped across the way, 

Then turned to hear the words we uttered ! 

We stopped beside the willow-brook, 
That trickled through the bed of rushes ; 

While timidly the reins you took, 
I gathered blooms from briar bushes. 

And one I placed with fingers meek, 

Within your little airy bonnet; 
And then I looked and saw your cheek — 

Another rose was blooming on it ! 

Some miles beyond, the village lay, 

Where pleasures were in wait to wreathe us ; 

While swiftly flew the hours away, 
As swiftly flew the road beneath us. 

How gladly we beheld arise, 

Across the hill, the village steeple ; 
Then met the urchin's wondering eyes, 

And gaze of window-peering people. 

The dusty coach that brought the mail, 

Before the office-door was standing ; 
Beyond, the blacksmith, gray and hale, 

With burning tire the wheel was banding. 

We passed some fruit trees — after these 

A bedded garden lying sunward ; 
Then saw beneath three aged trees, 

The parsonage a little onward. 

A modest building, somewhat gray, 

Escaped from time, from storm, disaster ; 

The very threshold worn away 

With feet of those who sought the pastor. 



212 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

And standing on the threshold there, 

We saw a child of angel lightness : 
Her soul-lit face — her form of air, 

Outshone the sunlight with their brightness! 

As then she stood I see her now — 

In years perchance a half a dozen — 
And Mary, you remember how 

She ran to. you and called you " cousin " ? 

As then, I see her slender size, 

Her flowing locks upon her shoulder — 

A six years' loss to Paradise, 

And ne'er on earth the child grew older! 

Three times the flowers have dropped away, 

Three winters glided gayly o'er us, 
Since here upon that morn in May 

The little maiden stood before us. 

These are the elms, and this the door, 

With trailing woodbine over shaded ; 
But from the step forevermore, 

The sunlight of that child has faded. 

Mr. Read seems to have driven down from the Georgetown 
side. The post-office where the dusty mail-coach was standing 
was then kept by Deacon Colman, who lived in what is now the 
parsonage ; the blacksmith " gray and hale," was Moses Dole, 
father of Rev. George T. Dole, and he lived where Miss Tenney 
does now. The old parsonage has happily still " escaped from 
time, from storm, disaster," through the sixty years that have 
sped away since the poem was written, and stands where it did 
then, though modernized, but the "child of angel lightness" 
that " outshone the sunlight " has illumined the streets of the 
new Jerusalem these threescore years. She was the pastor's 
daughter, " a child of precious memory, not only as a being 
naturally brilliant and lovely, but a hopeful subject of Divine 
grace." 

The old burying-ground contains a monument to her memory 
with this inscription : — 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 213 

Sarah Lewis 

Only Child of 

Rev. Henry & 

Mary E. B. Durant, 

Born 
Oct. 29, 1835 

Died 
June 18, 1843 

May I that bread and wine partake 
The emblem of His wondrous love 
To-day, she asked for His dear sake, 
Who died & rose & reigns above. 

Suffer the children is my plea 
For so He said rebuking some 
In Heaven their angels always see 
My Father's face & I may come. 

Dear child, behold His glories now 
He calleth thee with Him to dwell 
Nor we forbid but suffering bow 
And say He hath done all things well. 

Erected by Friends in the 
Parish of Byfield. 

Undoubtedly the lines were her father's tribute to his angel 
daughter. 

Mr. Durant was a finished scholar, who taught Hebrew to a 
class of young people in his parish, and a thoughtful preacher; 
but his farmer flock thought him most interesting when he took 
least pains, because his labored productions seemed to them a 
little obscure. He was a successful pastor. He received during 
his pastorate, which practically lasted less than fourteen years, 
eighty members, thirty men, and fifty women, all but nineteen 
on confession. In 1847, ne became Preceptor of Dummer 
Academy, and two years later resigned his pastorate although 
it took two councils to persuade his people to give him up. 
Strange to say, he then engaged in the manufacture of furni- 
ture at the factory. Mr. Durant's one deficiency, which 



214 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

he never to the end of his honored life succeeded in making 
up, was a lack of business ability; and this business venture 
"resulted unfortunately." So in 1853 he went to California 
" to start anew," and, as he told Mr. Luther Moody, to get 
money to pay his Byfield debts. Mr. Durant was then turned 
fifty, but the romance and the glory of his life were still before 
him. He landed in California a stranger, but he had seen a 
vision which never faded from his view, and which transfigured 
his life and made him as great a blessing to the infant common- 
wealth on the Pacific slope as any one who ever came to her 
shores. That vision was a Christian college. His bearing and 
his letters gave him the instant confidence and co-operation 
of the best men in the State, the true founders of California, and 
within one month after landing he had opened the " college " 
with three pupils. His vision made him a hero who could face 
a fierce mob of hundreds of squatters who were grabbing the 
best sites in Oakland and by a few words elicit their cheers for 
the college and transform them into faithful guardians of the 
four lots that he had selected for the institution that already 
existed fair and stately in his mind. It made him as he con- 
fessed subsequently, feel " about two feet taller than usual " as 
he sprang from bed in the early morning where he had taken 
his hurried quarters to save the unfinished college building 
from fraudulent appropriation by others, and faced the leader 
in the conspiracy and his minions, and assured them that they 
could not evict him without doing violence to his person and 
thus adding crime to the trespass of invading his bedchamber, 
and the scoundrels were cowed and slunk away, leaving Durant 
master of the situation. His vision gradually took material 
shape as the College of California, and then the University of 
California, which to-day has a productive fund of $3,035,027, an 
income of $483,283, 481 instructors, 3,057 students, and 101,000 
volumes in its library. Mr. Durant was its first President, and 
continued so for two years after the College grew into the 
University, when age and failing strength compelled him to 
resign the office. He wrote very little, and less and less, but 
he " thought aloud with wonderful clearness and facility," so 




;n 



x 

i 

u ? 

< 





FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1868). 21$ 

that whenever he arose to speak his audience became hushed 
with eager expectancy. He was elected and re-elected Mayor 
of Oakland, and died in that office, January 22, 1875, after but 
a few hours illness. There is about the name of Henry Durant 
the aroma alike of Parnassus and of the Celestial Hills, and our 
parish will always cherish the memory of his pastorate as one 
of her richest treasures. 

In a pouring rain, March 7, 1850, the very day that Webster 
delivered the speech that evoked Ichabod from Whittier's burn- 
ing lyre, Rev. Francis V. Tenney was settled in our parish. I 
think Dr. Edward Beecher preached the sermon. Mr. Tenney 
was educated at the English High School in Boston, where he 
won the Franklin medal, at Phillips Academy, Andover, at 
Amherst College, and Andover Theological Seminary. I shall 
be more and more brief as I come down toward our own day 
for the number of the living who perfectly remember the events 
multiply, and I also wish as far as possible to avoid repeating 
what Mr. Dummer has recorded in his admirable " Brief His- 
tory," which is in every home. Mr. Tenney was the pastor of 
my boyhood. He was conservative in theology and pastoral 
conduct. He would not allow a collection to be taken in the 
church for the American Missionary Association, which was 
conducted, as he thought, by a less highly educated class of men 
than the American Board, but he was the steadfast friend of 
the missionary work of the church in general, lie was wise 
and faithful as preacher and pastor, and he had the esteem and 
respect of all his flock. He was, I think, the first of our pastors 
to have a regular stipulated vacation. Good Dr. Root, who was 
accustomed to the old order, thought it needless. He thought 
it better not to work so hard as to need a periodic rest, but to 
work moderately and to work right on. Mr. Tenney was sorely 
chastened in Byfield. In a little over two years he buried his 
first wife and infant daughter and his second wife. The ex- 
penses of a growing family made it increasingly difficult for 
him to live on his salary, and he was dismissed after a seven 
years' pastorate. He had received forty-four into the church, 
fifteen men and twenty-nine women, thirty of them on con- 



2l6 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

fession. The minutes of the council which dismissed Mr. 
Tenney commend " in the highest terms " the generosity of 
many of the parish. " It shows," they say, " that the spirit 
of the fathers still lives in the children," but they censure others 
for excusing " themselves from so plain a duty," when due 
zeal on their part would have retained their pastor; and they 
appeal to the people to act so that Byfield may " have in time 
to come as in the past a name and a praise among our 
churches." Mr. Tenney had subsequent pastorates in which 
he did excellent service. He died of apoplexy at Ipswich, 
April 19, 1885. His son Francis Albert Tenney, is rector of 
Christ Church (P. E.), Pelham Manor, New York, and also 
instructor in elocution and oratory in two theological semi- 
naries. Mr. Tenney was of good old Rowley stock. His 
line was Thomas (l >, Thomas (2) , Samuel (3) , Thomas (4) , Samuel^), 
Deacon Samuel (6) . Deacon Samuel < 6 >, the minister's father, 
was " one of the founders of Salem Street Church [Boston] . . . 
the prince of hospitality," and eminently efficient and faithful in 
business. 

During the following winter the Rev. Frederick Alvord sup- 
plied the pulpit with very great acceptance, but could not be 
persuaded to become the pastor of the church. Rev. Charles 
Brooks was ordained and installed as the seventh pastor June 
16, 1858. Mr. Brooks was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, 
March 24, 1831, and was a graduate of Yale College and of 
Andover Seminary. His class in Yale was the famous one of 
1853. Mr. Brooks came in the midst of the wave of grace that 
swept over the North that year. Thirteen had united with the 
pastorless church at the two communions preceding his ordina- 
tion, and the great question " What must I do to be saved?" was 
on the lip of many another. Mr. Brooks had himself no doubt 
contributed much already to deepen the interest, for he had 
preached here at least two Sabbaths, one of them being as far 
back as the last Sabbath in February. During his pastorate of 
somewhat over five years fifty-two united with the church, 
twenty-five men and twenty-seven women — a remarkable but 
exceedingly desirable proportion of men. Of these fifty-two, 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 217 

only four came by letter. The proportion of accessions to this 
church by letter has always been small, and the fact is sig- 
nificant. Our ancient parish can never hope to have a large 
growth from those who move into her borders — there is little 
to draw them — the hope of our church is in those born in her 
homes; her glory will be to reach and hold them, the boys as 
well as the girls, and bless the world by the Christian men and 
women whom she may send forth. Her aspiration should be 
not to be a reservoir, but a fountain. Again, of these fifty-two, 
all but ten joined in the first half-year of the new pastorate ; in 
the remaining five years only ten were received ; in the last two 
years only one. Again the figures are instructive. 1858 was a 
year of grace, a glorious year of grace, but those who with- 
stood the mighty though gentle persuasiveness of that year, 
when the spiritual atmosphere was surcharged with the power 
of the unseen and the eternal, were not likely to yield to subse- 
quent appeals ; besides, it always seemed to one of his hearers 
that good Mr. Brooks' preaching was disproportionately horta- 
tory, that he dwelt altogether too much on our duty, and too 
little on the great things which God hath done for us, which 
make the great motive to grateful service on our part. Mr. 
Brooks was in some respects a marked contrast to his prede- 
cessor. While Mr. Tenney was, as I have said, conservative in 
his theology, Mr. Brooks was fresh from the hand of the great 
New Haven theologian, Dr. N. W. Taylor, and he emphasized 
human ability probably more than his teacher. Our need of 
divine assistance seemed almost lost sight of in his preaching. 
In bearing, likewise, while dignity and a certain reserve marked 
Mr. Tenney, Mr. Brooks was exceedingly affable and cordial, 
and evidently sympathetic. A lady, whose early life was in 
our church, but whose home has been for many years in the 
sister church at the station, spoke truly when she said of him 
recently, "Mr. Brooks was a lovely man, everybody loved 
him." When Mr. Brooks was dismissed our parish lost another 
good pastor through inadequate support, and once more the 
report of the council blended blame with praise, while it ap- 
pealed to the parish to be " true to its history." One item of 



2l8 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the censure may be suggestive of the true rule for giving. The 
council points out the error of those who do not " assess them- 
selves in proportion for the support of the preaching, as they 
are assessed by others for the support of the institutions of 
the state." After a brief pastorate in Unionville, Connecticut, 
Mr. Brooks died of consumption June II, 1866. On Tuesday, 
June 23, 1903, it was my privilege to attend the annual alumni 
meeting of Yale University, and to watch his class as its mem- 
bers took seats of honor on the platform, because they had 
been out of college fifty years — the class of Wayne McVeagh 
and Andrew D. White. It graduated with one hundred and 
eight, forty-two are living, and thirty-one attended the semi- 
centennial. As I looked at that group of gray-haired honored 
veterans I thought of a pure warm heart that went forth with 
them, but who came not back in visible form to their great 
anniversary, because in life's mid-day he heard the voice of the 
chief shepherd calling him to receive the crown of glory that 
fadeth not away — our own beloved pastor, Charles Brooks. 

DUMMER ACADEMY. 

Sweden has a proverb — the teacher is the school. Dummer 
Academy was favored during this period with three teachers of 
eminent merit: Nehemiah Cleaveland, Frederick Adams, and 
Marshall Henshaw. Mr. Cleaveland was Preceptor from 182 1 
to 1840. During that time nearly four hundred pupils re- 
ceived his instructions. Mr. Cleaveland was a man of many- 
sided worth. He was a gentleman of the old school. I only 
knew him in his old age, but then his erect carriage, his cour- 
tesy, his natural dignity, and the contagious animation of his 
countenance gave him a presence at once commanding and at- 
tractive. He was a scholar whose bosom friends, even amid 
the absorbing surroundings of European travel, were Homer 
and Virgil. His capacity for leadership appeared in all his 
career as teacher and man of affairs. His ability as an author 
appears in his highly instructive and interesting centennial dis- 
course at Dummer. Everywhere and always he was a consist- 
ent, hearty Christian. He had no narrow conception of his 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 219 

duties. Mary Ann Hale (Mrs. Hathaway) wrote in 1833, "All 
the Academy boys are setting out trees before the A. They 
are fixing the new play ground. I expect it will look smart 
when it is done." Many of those trees are of the number, I 
presume, which to-day make the spot so beautiful. One of 
Sarah Hale's (Mrs. Todd) letters shows him to have been a 
lover of hospitality, one who delighted to entertain large com- 
panies of his neighbors as well as friends from other places. 
The whole parish rejoiced in his leadership and inspiration. He 
died at Westport, Connecticut, April 17, 1877, in his eighty- 
first year. 

Mr. Cleaveland had a worthy successor in the Rev. Frederick 
Adams, Ph.D. What we boys used to call the Preceptor's 
house was built during his administration, and became " a 
centre at once of attraction and radiance." From the lips of 
my own beloved instructor, Prof. E. C. Smythe of Andover 
Theological Seminary, who was Mr. Adams' pupil, and who 
dates the beginning of his Christian life from his stay in Mr. 
Adams' school and delightful home, I have heard high and 
tender tributes to the teacher and the teacher's noble wife. 

How shall I speak of one to whom I owe so great and 
delightful a debt, my own honored teacher, Marshall Hen- 
shaw, D.D., LL.D.? He was born in Pennsylvania in a log 
cabin which the wolves howled about at night. He knew the 
hardships of poverty on the frontier. For three days his family 
lived on salt and potatoes. In his seventeenth year he " made 
[I quote his own words] a full covenant with Jesus to be his 
entirely and forever. [He added] I know I have often failed, but 
I trust I have never let go that hold, — that unchangeable sup- 
port." He worked his way through Amherst College, and 
although he entered with a miserable "fit" he stood close 
second at graduation to the distinguished scholar Francis A. 
March. He was Master of the Academy from 1854 to 1859. 
He had a somewhat cold exterior, but a warm heart. He was 
thoroughness itself in teaching. The late Dr. Lamson, Presi- 
dent of the American Board, said truthfully of him, " His de- 
mands upon the student were severe, but never so severe 



220 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

as the demand made upon himself." After a career of dis- 
tinguished usefulness at Rutgers, Williston, and Amherst, Dr. 
Henshaw, on December 12, 1900, at the age of fourscore, 
went gently home. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

We saw in Dr. Parish's day a benevolent Christian school 
started with excellent results where the railway station village 
is now, but the following period was to witness a more perma- 
nent and powerful agency for good in that region. Rev. Wil- 
liam French of Sandown, N. H., " a wise masterbuilder," laid 
the foundations. Mr. French was born in South Hampton, 
N. H., October 5, 1778. He was a hard-working, enterprising 
and prosperous farmer and charcoal burner. He had nine 
children, all of whom grew to maturity. He had little secular 
learning, but he was taught of God, and his church, — the 
Methodist Church, ordained him deacon and elder. He used 
to make tours of " many days," preaching, visiting families, and 
giving away Bibles and hymn -books* all without compensation 
save " the joy of doing good." Once he did take a dollar, but 
he gave it away before he reached home. 

In 1827, he felt moved to go forth and preach the gospel, he 
knew not whither ; so he knelt down and committed the case to 
God. As he prayed he seemed to hear the command " Go." 
He obeyed the word and mounted his horse and left the one 
who had commissioned him to determine the direction his 
horse should take; so, like the patriarch of old, "he obeyed, 
and he went out not knowing whither he went." His animal 
brought him to Byfield, and he went into the house of a Mr. 
Burrill, and asked the woman of the house if she would like to 
talk on religion. He who had sent him forth had gone before 
him, and the woman gave an affirmative response, and so began 
the Methodist Church in Byfield. Mr. French made several 
visits to the parish that summer after the style, I suppose, of the 
Methodist preacher of those days, with pony and saddlebags, 
and of a dress and speech that characterized that humble class 
of workers whose coming made many a wilderness and solitary 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 221 

place glad. The Lord worked with him and there were many 
conversions. He took no pay for his labors save entertainment 
for himself and his horse, and an occasional penny to pay for 
his toll over Rocks Bridge. Mr. J. 0. Rogers remembers well 
a visit made by Father French, as he is called, in his old age to 
the scene of his pioneer labors. His form was bent with years 
and he came into the church leaning upon a younger arm, but 
as he saw to what strength the seed sown in weakness had 
grown, the words of Simeon sprang to his lips and he exclaimed, 
" Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine 
eyes have seen thy salvation." He is revered and beloved by 
those who remember him in Byfield as a saint, and I doubt not 
their estimate is ratified in heaven. He entered into the joy of 
his Lord December 12, i860. I am indebted for information 
concerning this good man to Mr. J. O. Rogers, and also to Father 
French's granddaughter, Mrs. W. P. Odell, wife of Rev. W. P. 
Odell, pastor of Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, New 
York City. The first probationers were: Simeon Pillsbury, 
James Burrill, Jerusha Burrill, Alice Pillsbury, Eleanor Perry, 
Amos Pillsbury, Sally Clifford, Hannah England, William W. 
Perry, Abner Rogers, Betsey Poor. 

In 1830 the little band was strong enough to build a humble 
chapel, twelve feet by twelve, near the Great Rock. In this 
the women sat on stones that were brought in from the roadside 
where such seats were plenty, while the men listened to the 
word of life at the door and the windows. In 1831 they had 
their first Conference preacher, Rev. Philo Bronson. During 
his pastorate the chapel was finished and the stone seats dis- 
carded. In 1832 a church was formed and a parish, the latter 
bearing the title of " The First Parish of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church for the towns of West Newbury and Newbury." 
Micajah Poor was their devoted clerk for many years, and his 
house always had a prophets' chamber for all who brought to 
the little flock the bread of life. In 1833 under the ministry of 
Rev. S. W. Coggeshall, fifty were added to the church. In 
1846 they held a part of their meetings in the little chapel of 
sacred memory and a part in the " vestry " at the Mills. I 



222 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

well remember that vestry with its long green blinds in front. 
It stood nearly or quite opposite the entrance to Mr. James O. 
Hale's. I have a pleasant recollection of one summer Sunday 
when our church was closed and my father took me over to the 
" vestry." I think it was my first experience of a Methodist 
meeting, and I was quick to notice any little variations from the 
order to which I -was accustomed. In 1853 Rev. J. L. Trefren 
became their pastor. During his pastorate the chapel was re- 
moved to the Mills and enlarged and improved. In Rev. 0. S. 
Butler's first pastorate (1857-60) the meeting-house was once 
more enlarged and additional land was purchased. Rev. David 
Wait (1861-63) was efficiently aided by his wife who did great 
good " among the sick, obscure, and degraded." 

More than one pillar of the old Congregational church used 
to lament the drain upon its strength from the growth of the 
new organization. But surely it was of the Lord, and it is 
equally certain that to-day the mother church rejoices in all 
the prosperity of the daughter. It is the order of Providence 
that in one way or another a church shall always be summoned 
to effort and sacrifice. The church below is never to become a 
saints' rest. 

CONFLAGRATION. CELEBRATION. 

March 27, 1827, "the old mansion house of Mr. Moses Col- 
man was accidentally burnt." A maid had swept out the oven 
and then set the oven broom against the outside of the house, 
but there were sparks in the broom. It stood where the present 
Colman house is. 

July 4, 1827, was elaborately celebrated in Byfield. Nehe- 
miah Cleaveland, Esq., gave an oration ; an original hymn was 
sung, and " a numerous company " sat down to a dinner 
prepared by Nathaniel Pearson, Jr. The dinner was followed 
by thirteen toasts, of which one was to Charles Carroll of 
Carrollton, the last survivor of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence. This toast invoked for him " an exit as calm 
and peaceful as the setting Sun." Another sentiment reads 
thus : " John Randolph, the long-tailed opossum of Virginia, as 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 223 

he has bored his ears he probably will his nose, and appear in 
Congress hall in the costume of his ancestors." Politics evi- 
dently ran high in Byfield in 1827. 

THE THIRD MEETING-HOUSE. 

1833 was a memorable year for Byfield. "A meeting-house 
burnt, a meeting-house built, a minister dismissed, and a minister 
installed " made a part of its record. The parish had already 
gone so far as to accept a plan for a new meeting-house when 
the old one was burned to the ground March 1, 1833. Would 
that like the parsonage it might have been spared to our day ! 
The corner-stone of a new meeting-house was quickly laid, with 
a prayer by Rev. Moses C. Searle, son of Mr. Joseph Searle, and 
uncle of Mr. Elijah P. Searle, and an address was delivered by 
Preceptor Cleaveland. The raising took place May 22. It was 
estimated that it would take eighty men to raise it. Two great 
posts under the belfry were raised first. A guy was attached to 
a small elm across the road. Mr. James Ferguson, Mr. Parsons' 
foreman, protested, and the builder put his pea-jacket between 
the guy and the tree, when Mr. Ferguson withdrew his protest. 
Mr. Searle, then seventy-six years old, took down half a barrel of 
cider, tapped at both ends, with two dippers, and everybody was 
welcome to a drink while it lasted. His little grandson Elijah 
accompanied his grandfather, and remembers the event perfectly 
after a lapse of over seventy years. The dedication took place 
November 7. with a sermon by Rev. J. P. Cleaveland who like Mr. 
M. C. Searle was a Byfield boy. Would that the quaint weather- 
vane that swung over the old church, and which escaped the fire, 
might have found a place upon the new edifice ! It still follows 
the wind over a barn in the rear of the premises once occupied 
by Professor Cleaveland at Brunswick. Is there no way to 
rescue this interesting memento of antiquity from its present 
obscure service and restore it to the conspicuous usefulness that 
characterized it of yore? The meeting-house was built by a 
stock company, and the pews sold so well that the shareholders 
received dividends above their investment. The largest of these 
dividends went to Luther Moody, Nehemiah Cleaveland, Daniel 



224 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

Noyes, and Josiah Titcomb. This indicates that they were 
leading contributors. Although the work was done with great 
expedition it was done thoroughly, as seventy years have borne 
witness, and the shareholders had a right to heartily enjoy that 
turkey supper with which they celebrated the completion of 
their task at Colonel Titcomb's. 

William Parsons, Esq., of Boston, then an old man of eighty- 
three, son of our minister Parsons and brother of Theophilus, 
presented a " richly bound"" Bible and two hymn-books for use 
in the new church, and Miss Hannah Parish, daughter of Dr. 
Parish, gave the clock with the wish, " May it count for you 
and your descendants many a pleasant and profitable hour of 
time for which you will be the happier through all the changes 
of an unmeasured eternity." Miss Parish's clock still faithfully 
records the hours of worship. May the kindly wish of the donor 
be fulfilled to yet more generations. It is not strange that 
December 4th was observed as a day of Thanksgiving for the 
signal favors of that year. 

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 

The same year the Sunday-School was reorganized and en- 
tered upon a career of prosperity which has thus far been un- 
rivalled. It had teachers' meetings, Sunday-School concerts, 
and two branch schools, one on "Back" (North) St., and one 
at Lunt's Corner (where the Methodist Church now stands). 
It sought out and clothed needy children, kept its workers 
well supplied with the "Sunday School Visitor," a teachers' 
paper, and had some four hundred volumes in its library. Its 
reports are models of fulness and practical wisdom. The en- 
rolment was wonderful. In 1835, for example, there were re- 
ported 99 in the two branch schools, and 295 in the home 
school, 394 in all. The Superintendent during these flood 
years was Dea. Daniel Noyes. 

VARIOUS EVENTS. 

Musical matters shared the general prosperity. Miss Sarah 
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PURCHASERS OF PEWS AND PRICES 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 225 

would like to know that we have very good music in the 
meeting-house since Mr. Taylor introduced a double bass- 
viol. Mr. T. is a great favorite." The Mr. Taylor was Mr. 
Nat. Taylor. He was a large man, with beetling eyebrows 
and a long, heavy beard — he is said to have had a full 
beard at the age of fourteen. He was a gifted singer and 
player, and his large stature seemed to add something to 
the deep notes of his voice and instrument. A pipe organ 
to-day does not make the impression upon a congregation 
which that double bass-viol did when Nat. Taylor touched 
the strings. The instrument was kept at Mr. Moses W. Howe's, 
at the head of Warren Street, that hospitable home being the 
musical headquarters of the parish. 

There was one shadow on parish matters. Religious taxation 
came to an utter end in 1833. Henceforth, whatever was raised 
for religious purposes must come from voluntary contributions. 
This was a new experience to our fathers, and a hard one. As 
early as 1834 we find them going over the parish a second time 
to solicit subscriptions. Various expedients were proposed and 
deficits were unpleasantly frequent. My good mother, who had 
grown up under the old regime, thought everybody ought to 
be required to give for the support of the gospel. She was 
half right. Everybody ought to give for the support and ex- 
tension of the gospel, but we have discovered that if anybody 
refuses to give he is to be left to the judgment of Him to whom 
the silver and the gold belong; we are also discovering that 
ultimately free-will offerings will yield more than religious 
taxation. 

A fortnightly church meeting was established in 1834. 
Throughout my early life it was held in the afternoon, and the 
attendance was small, especially of the men, but it was a profit- 
able meeting to the faithful few. In 1839, "the monthly con- 
cert for the enslaved " was established, but it can hardly have 
maintained a separate existence long, for I remember nothing 
of it. There was, however, a strong and growing anti-slavery 
element in the parish. Mrs. Captain Jewett, Dr. Root, Major 
Stickney, Dea. Green Wildes, and Samuel Ewell were some 

*5 



226 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

of its representatives. A number of them used to give one 
dollar each yearly to the American Missionary Association, be- 
fore a collection for that society was allowed in church. Major 
Stickney was a warm abolitionist, and Deacon Wildes always 
rode in the Jim Crow car as long as it was kept up for the 
colored people. 

THE LOG CABIN. 

1840 was signalized by the great first Harrison campaign. 
General Harrison was said to have lived in a log cabin, and to 
have drunk hard cider, and so Byfield Whigs agreed with 
the great teamster Moody Dole that he should build a log 
cabin large enough to carry seventy passengers, and with 
eight horses haul cabin and passengers to Boston, and in a 
great Harrison procession that was to take place in that city. 
Benjamin Pearson furnished the slabs ; Ben Perley Poore 
thatched the roof; Gorham Parsons, Esq., gave a barrel of 
seven-year-old russet cider, and the Byfield Rifle Company 
supplied the music, with George Pike for the snare drum, 
Henry Dole for the bass drum, Maxy Jewett for the fife, and 
Charles Pike for the clarionet. The expense was met by a 
subscription, which Mr. Parsons headed with $25. And so the 
great cabin filled full with ardent Whigs set out. It awakened 
great enthusiasm all along the route, and was a star attraction in 
the procession. Probably it contributed substantially to the 
great wave of enthusiasm which swept General Harrison into 
the White House with 234 out of 294 electoral votes. General 
Harrison was able and patriotic, but the campaign went down 
into history as the hard-cider campaign, and did not have an 
elevating influence on politics or character. Nevertheless, By- 
field's contribution to it showed the ingenuity and public spirit 
of our parish. 

THE LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 

April 23, 1844, the Ladies' Benevolent Society began its 
beneficent career. The first item specified in its aims was to 
" aid needy individuals in the parish of Byfield." The parish 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 227 

records bear frequent testimony to their steadfast generosity. 
For example, in 1846 they carpeted the church; in 1850 they 
voted $75 toward our first furnace, and on October 6, 1861, 
they rose to the height of a great emergency and pledged $300 
toward parish expenses — " $28 more than the debt at the last 
annual meeting," providing the parish would continue to pay 
Mr. Brooks $600 and house rent, and pay promptly. Their 
words deserve reproduction in this book for a guide and stimu- 
lus to our parish and to other parishes in time to come ; they 
said, " If the parish contemplate a possible time when they shall 
be content to see the church doors closed, or opened only 
for brethren's meeting or such occasional preaching as may be 
had without paying for it, or paying 3, or 4, or 5 dollars per 
Sunday, the ladies have no desire to use their funds in liquidat- 
ing debts already contracted. If, on the other hand, the parish 
are determined that the preached gospel shall be maintained 
here even at the cost of personal self-denial and sacrifice, and 
are resolved that a good minister shall not be permitted to go 
away for the want of generous support," they pledge their 
hearty co-operation. 



TREE PLANTING. CELEBRATION. 

April 25, 1844, was appointed by the parish as a day for 
planting trees " around the burying ground," and the following 
year there was a similar entry. Mr. Henry L. Moody, father 
of the Secretary of the Navy, and Mr. Albert Adams were two 
of the many, who, no doubt, participated in the tree planting — 
thus laying coming generations under a pleasant debt. 

July 4, 1844, was celebrated under the auspices of the Sunday- 
School. The committee was composed of Henry Durant, Daniel 
Noyes, James Peabody, Caleb Tenney, Paul Titcomb, Samuel 
Ewell, Leonard Jewett, and Winthrop Sargent. The address was 
assigned to Preceptor Adams, while the Pastor, D. P. Noyes " of 
New Haven," William D. Northend, Thomas B. Read of Boston, 
and Mrs. Sarah D. Peabody of Topsfield (the daughter of our 
blacksmith Dole) were all put down for original hymns. If the 



228 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

muses were propitious to all of these five, the poetic attractions 
of the occasion must have been brilliant. 



THE MEXICAN WAR. THE PARSONAGE SOLD. 

Byfield anticipated General Grant's opinion of the Mexican 
War, that it was " unholy," but there were a few brave volun- 
teers from the parish. Charles Pike, the brother of George W., 
the clarionet player in 1840, died of yellow fever in the service. 
I presume others of our youth were sacrificed. 

June 21, 1847, its financial difficulties led the parish to part 
with the parsonage which had been the home of all its pastors 
for over one hundred and forty-three years, a lamentable loss. 

OUR FIRST VESTRY. 

Four years later the parish acquired a much-needed and most 
useful building, our first vestry. The Ladies' Vestry Associa- 
tion was organized at Dr. Root's, January 23, 1850, with Mrs. 
Luther Moody for President, and Mrs. Root for Secretary and 
Treasurer. On April 22, 185 1, these efficient women paid one 
hundred and fifty dollars, its full cost, for the two-story ell that 
had been attached to what is now the parsonage, and had been 
used by Deacon Colman as store and post-office. They re- 
moved the building to a spot opposite the meeting-house, and 
fitted it up for a vestry. Deacon Tenney of Boston, the min- 
ister's father, gave a Bible for it ; Ira Worcester, of Ipswich, 
but of Byfield (Tenney) descent on his mother's side, gave a 
stove ; and Messrs. J. H. Caldwell, J. N. Foss, and G. D. Tenney 
gave two solar lamps. Many women worked patiently and per- 
severingly to purchase and fit up and care for the building, and 
many men co-operated with gifts of labor and otherwise. One 
person, however, pre-eminently deserves mention among those 
to whom we owe that building, — the wife of Dr. Root ; so in- 
defatigable were her labors and solicitations that some grew 
weary of her importunity and nicknamed the building " Marm 
Root's Vestry," but the parish owes a great debt to her unsel- 
fish persistence. From the first meeting of the association until 
it gave up the building to the committee appointed by the 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 229 

parish to erect our present vestry, April 1, 1873, a period of 
twenty-two and one-half years, Mrs. Root's name is signed to 
every report as secretary or treasurer. In fact, she was always, 
I think, both secretary and treasurer. She seems never to have 
cared to be president. She did not seek honor, but gladly held 
the position that involved most work and afforded the best op- 
portunity for service. The building served for religious meet- 
ings, for week-day select-schools, and for social and literary 
gatherings. Its two stories added greatly to its utility. 

THE GREAT REVIVAL. THE NEW CEMETERY. 

1858 was, as I have said, the year of the great revival. The 
vestry was packed with a serious throng, that included many to 
whom a religious gathering was something rare, but who felt 
the powers of the world to come ; and many a new voice trem- 
blingly uplifted in prayer and praise made the hearts of those 
who had long been faithful overflow with gratitude. Out of 
this revival there grew a Christian association of young people 
that maintained literary meetings of great interest, secured 
lecturers of ability from abroad, and held a notable Fourth of 
July celebration. That society lives in delightful memories in 
the hearts of a little group of spectacled and gray-haired men 
and women scattered over the country, to whose youth it 
afforded much pure and stimulating pleasure. 

In 1859 the new cemetery was dedicated, with an address, if 
my memory is correct, by Mr. Hathaway, the excellent teacher, 
of Medford, whose wife was Mary Ann Hale of Byfield. Before 
the following year had finished its course Mr. Hathaway, though 
but fifty years old, was worn out by intense sedentary work and 
laid to rest in the ground that he had helped dedicate. The 
first interment in the new cemetery, however, was that of Mrs. 
Mary S. Tenney, the dearly loved daughter of Luther and Mary 
Moody, the wife of James Tenney, and the mother of Edward 
S. Tenney. 

The period covered by this chapter closed in the midst of 
our nation's life and death struggle, the Civil War, but I will 
not speak of that until the next chapter. 



230 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

LEADING PARISHIONERS. 

Three of the more prominent Masters of Dummer have 
already come before us. That sturdy parishioner Joseph Pike, 
who filled so large a space in Dr. Parish's ministry, lingered a 
little into this period. He died April 25, 1830, being seventy- 
nine years old. Dea. Putnam Perley was greatly beloved and 
respected. He was chairman of the pulpit supply committee 
after the death of Dr. Parish. Fever suddenly snatched him 
away June 30, 1835, at the early age of forty-one. Deacon 
Hale's life of seventy-eight years closed May 17, 1846. His 
religious experience received large attention in the last period, 
but he was a man of many-sided usefulness. He always took 
Academy boys to board, some of them full of youthful pranks 
as his account-book bears witness. These are some of its 

entries : 

Lucretia Choate Dr., 1834 

To boarding yr. son George F. 1 
one pane of glass 1 2 

wanton mischief 12 

2 y?, panes of glass 

Coi Moses Newell Dr., 1835 
To boarding your sons &c. 
to 2 panes of glass April 25 
y 2 of one with Choate x 

Glass March 1836 

W. Codman 2 panes 

W. A. Bassett 1 " 

John Spring 1 " 

G. Choate 1 one pane Mch 31 

Robert Codman 3 at one time on purpose 

Arthur Gilman one 6^ cts 

" " and W. Codman one between them 

Charles Wood 3 panes 
Arthur Gilman to breaking one chair 

The Academy had no gymnasium in those days, and the 
scholars seem to have vented their youthful exuberance of 

1 G. F. Choate, subsequently Judge of Probate. 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 23 1 

physical spirit on the good Deacon's windows and furniture. 
I am glad to say that, despite these ill-omens in their boyhood, 
some of those who tried the good Deacon's patience became 
eminent in various useful callings. One of them, the distin- 
guished scholar, Arthur Gilman, at the reunion of Mr. Cleave- 
land's pupils in 1847, gave as a toast, "The memory of Daniel 
Hale, Esq., who, although bored by boys for forty-five years, 
still for forty-five years unflinchingly took boys to board." 

Gorham Parsons, Esq., was in many respects the leading man 
of the parish during the earlier part of the period. He was the 
only son of Ebon Parsons, and his successor at Fatherland 
Farm. Mr. Cleaveland gratefully acknowledged his " unbroken 
series of kind attentions." Mr. Parsons used to be referred to 
and deferred to in parish meeting as the man who gave $100. 
What is now the new cemetery was formerly a waste of blowing 
sand, such as we still see on the road from the church to George- 
town. Mr. Parsons hired Robert Jevvett of Warren Street, 
grandfather of the Jewett brothers of Rowley, to cover it with 
meadow muck. This work evoked from Thomas Smith, father 
of Paul Smith the blacksmith, likewise of Warren Street, thirty- 
two lines of doggerel in praise of the act, and of Mr. Parsons 
and of his family. Some of the lines run thus: 

A gentleman from Brighton came 
Possessed of knowledge, worth and fame, 

As he rode by the house of God 
There he did spy the land of Nod 
By God's all wise and firm decree 
Where Cain himself saw fit to be. 

No presence of our God was there, 
Likewise the sand blew everywhere, 
But hearing of our active Rob, 
He hired him to cover Nod. 

And when we all are gone to rest, 
I hope the job will stand the test. 

There is nothing said that 's meant for jest 
Your honored grandsire was my priest, 
To him I said my catechise 
As true as God who rules the skies. 



232 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Happily the job has stood the test and deserves grateful 
mention and remembrance. Fatherland Farm continued to be 
a model of enterprise and beauty. Mr. Parsons got his foreman, 
James Ferguson, from England, and his head gardener from 
Holland, and choice breeds of animals from various parts of 
the world. He is said to have imported cows from far away 
Calcutta. His breed of swine was very noted, and he delighted 
to send smoked hams and shoulders to deck the tables of 
his friends. Like his father, he was a great benefactor to the 
agriculture of the region. 

James Peabody was prominent in all church and parish 
matters, but, as Mr. Perley had been seventeen years before, he 
was cut down in his prime by fever in 1852. His death was a 
great shock to the community. 

Luther Moody was born in Newburyport, but came to Byfield 
when he was seventeen years old, a stranger without money, 
but with the rich inheritance of a pious and virtuous parentage. 
He worked here and there as he could find employment. 
Colonel Titcomb kindly invited him to make his home in 
a little chamber over the fireplace and he used to spend his 
Sundays there. He became an able carpenter, who filled the 
region with buildings that attested his skill and thoroughness. 
He joined the church in 1832, and was a wise counsellor and 
generous giver in all religious work. He was a trustee of 
Dummer Academy from 1853 until his death in 1871 at the 
age of sixty-seven. Mr. Cleaveland paid him this high tribute: 
" For thirty years past, Mr. Moody has done more than any 
other person to keep the Academy in good repair, and now a 
decaying parish seems to be thrown on his hands. He is strong 
and will do all he can, but this double task is, I fear, too much 
even for him." Mr. Moody was elected by Rowley to the 
legislature of 1843. The election was disputed. Mr. Moody 
defended his own case, and the remonstrants had leave to with- 
draw, and his town showed its appreciation of him by re- 
electing him the next year. He had remarkable strength and 
endurance. He said that he never knew what it was to be 
tired until he was fifty. Once when he was out of work he 




REV. DANIEL PARKER NOYES 
Born in Hyfield, June 4, 1S20 
Died in Byfield, June 3, iSSS 





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ISAAC \V. WHEELWRIGHT 
lSoi-1891 





MARTIN ROOT, M.D. 
Died Oct. 2S, 18S0, aged 78 



LUTHER MOODY 
Died April 12, 1S71, aged 67 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 233 

walked to Lowell and back in a day, in search of a job, wearing 
out the soles of a new pair of shoes on the journey. Though 
diffident, he was conscious of his ability and success, and in- 
curred some criticism in that way, but he was a sterling man, 
whom I loved and respected. I venture to speak of my per- 
sonal regard for him because he was our next-door neighbor 
and my Sunday-School teacher, and I knew him as well as I 
did any man in the parish. 

Mr. D. S. Caldwell was always at the head of his pew, and 
of every subscription paper. He was a very enterprising and 
public-spirited citizen. After Mr. Parsons died he was the 
largest giver to parish purposes, his regular subscription being 
forty dollars. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty-four. 

Daniel Noyes did not have so much money as a few others, 
but he had more than usual education, great wisdom, sincere 
piety, and quiet, steadfast enthusiasm. A wise woman once said 
of him, " When Deacon Noyes speaks, it always carries weight." 
His wife was a daughter of Dr. Parish. God blessed their union 
with six sons and one daughter who grew up, and their home 
had a delightful atmosphere of refinement, purity, and piety. He 
held the office of deacon thirty-three years and died April 7, 
1868, at the age of seventy-five. The inscription on his tomb- 
stone is very felicitous : 

With good will doing service as unto the Lord. 

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children. 

Dea. Phineas Balch and Dea. Caleb Tenney both adorned 
the office which they filled. Deacon Balch was a peculiarly 
warm-hearted Christian ; Deacon Tenney the devoted and effi- 
cient teacher of a young ladies' Bible class. 

Mr. Parsons left his Byfield estate to his namesake, a grand- 
nephew of his wife, Gorham Parsons Sargent, son of Hon. 
Winthrop Sargent of Philadelphia, and so Winthrop Sargent 
came to Byfield. Mr. Sargent maintained much of the old 
time regime at Fatherland Farm, reared carefully and well a 
large family of children, and took a prominent and useful part 
in church and parish. John Sargent the great artist is his 



234 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

descendant. Mr. Sargent was superintendent of the Sunday- 
School, and both Sunday-School and Sunday-School Teachers' 
meeting prospered greatly under his administration. He took 
a deep interest in the young. I knew a boy of that period 
whose thirst for knowledge he kindly supplied from his library, 
adding wise counsels as to reading, and another (Henry Root) 
whom he guided with great tenderness and wisdom as he began 
to walk the narrow way. He was a very erect man, of great 
natural dignity and impressive presence. 

It is at once a serious and a pleasing task thus to recall the 
useful activities of those who have ceased from all earthly labor, 
but the limits of the book forbid me to extend the survey. I 
have already paid a tribute to the Benjamin Pearson of my 
youth, who in early life was conspicuous for popular qualities 
and for manly beauty, but who had not yet attained the business 
eminence of later years, and that rich storehouse of experience 
and observation which made him so instructive and delightful 
a companion. I can only allude to Sewall Woodman, the stone- 
mason ; William Risk, the carpenter ; Nat. Merrill, the shoe- 
maker, a pattern of industry, neatness^ and business promptness; 
Caleb Searle, the butcher ; Moody Cheney, the farmer, who laid 
up many thousands of dollars by intensely hard work and hon- 
esty and frugality ; Moses Howe and Samuel Howe, shoe- 
makers, the former a cyclopedia of current history, and spry 
as a schoolboy when he was an octogenarian, the latter pain- 
fully bashful, but wise, well informed, and scrupulously conscien- 
tious; Tappan Pearson, the industrious and thrifty miller; 
Gibbins and Stephen Adams, the latter best known to me, — a 
man of beautiful devotion to the church of Christ. Many and 
many another equally deserving man I must pass by in silence. 
Then there were the women, far less prominent but not less 
useful than the men — some have already been mentioned: 
others of eminent serviceableness were Mrs. Sewall Woodman, 
Mrs. Tappan Pearson, Mrs. Moses Howe, the tailoress and 
friend to all sick and needy people : Mrs. Eben Jackman, a great 
lover of the house of God, whose strong kindly features animated 
with joy in the services of the church add sunshine to the 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 235 

memory of the congregation of former days. But I must pause ; 
in almost every case where there was a useful, happy man, at 
his side there was a wise and loving wife, his stimulus and 
strength in every good work. Yet one name, however, demands 
a more extended notice. In March, 1827, a young physician 
who had heard of Byfield and that it had an opening for one 
of his profession, owing to Dr. Cleaveland's death, set his face 
hither. His first night this side of Boston, he was told by his 
landlord that Byfield was noted for its breed of hogs [the Par- 
sons breed] and for its Academy, but he guessed the Academy 
was dead. The young doctor, however, pushed on and spent 
the next night in the edge of the parish at Enoch Boynton's 
tavern. The first entry in his first Day Book, which lies at my 
side, bears date of March 12, 1827 ; so Dr. Root began his long 
round of beneficent visits in Byfield. His usual charge was one 
shilling and six pence, or twenty-five cents, for visit and medi- 
cine. Blue pills and bleeding and wrenching out teeth with the 
turnkey, if need be by the roadside holding the patient's head 
between his knees, characterized his opening labors, but he was 
a kind, conscientious and wise practitioner, and one who was 
always open to new light. For over fifty years by night and 
by day he responded to every call, taking a modest fee in 
money if he could get it, and if not money then work or farm 
produce or whatever could be obtained, but his books show 
thousands of dollars of service rendered for which he never 
received any material compensation. If any one in his family 
expressed fear lest he should catch a contagious disease from 
some patient, he would reply, " I fear only one thing, — lest I 
shall not do my duty." After his death, on turning over the 
doorstep to his office it proved to be an ancient gravestone ! — 
a Hale gravestone, probably the one shivered by a storm as 
is recorded on the one erected in its place ; but Dr. Root was 
not an ally of the cemetery, but its enemy who retarded its 
conquests. For thirty-one years he was Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Essex North District Medical Society, and missed 
only one meeting during all that time. When the infirmi- 
ties of advancing age compelled him to resign the double 



236 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

office, the society expressed, on the motion of the eminent 
physician, Dr. Garland of Lawrence, " its entire confidence 
and highest esteem " for him. Dr. Root was a faithful disciple 
of the Great Physician. He used to do extra work on Saturday 
so as to be free on Sunday, and he was seldom absent from his 
pew at public worship. He and his wife reared a family of four 
sons and two daughters to serve well their generation. At one 
time in his boyhood he grew some six inches in seven months ; 
boylike he was ashamed of his rapid longitudinal extension, and 
tried to shorten himself by persistently sitting bent over: this 
hindered the development of his lungs and he came near con- 
sumption, but his open-air life as a country doctor saved him. 
He was six feet six and a half inches high, but with a great 
stoop of the shoulders from that mistake of his boyhood : his 
character corresponded to his stature, only it was absolutely 
erect. He entered into rest October 28, 1880, at the age of 
seventy-eight. 

PECULIAR PEOPLE. 

My space and time are shortening, but like the preacher who 
adds a " finally " to his conclusion I must lengthen this sketch 
of the people of Byfield before the war by a brief mention of a 
few of the curious characters of the parish. Enoch Boynton 
was a small desiccated specimen of humanity, who delighted to 
shock preachers with some astoundingly sceptical statement. 
He kept a " poor apology for a tavern," and had a fondness for 
letters. When Mr. W. D. Northend was a boy Mr. Boynton 
lent him a Shakespeare and advised him to read it. Mr. 
Nathaniel (?) Plummer, so commonly known as "Old Plum- 
mer" that I have had hard work to recover his given name, was 
the parish Munchausen. He said, for example, that he had a 
squash vine that threw a branch across the creek. About the 
same time he lost a pig. In the fall he found the pig, now full 
grown with a litter of little pigs, in a squash attached to the 
vine across the creek. He said that he lost a dollar bill once 
and never could find but seventy-five cents of it. Rufus Wheeler 
— Uncle Rufus — is commemorated in my historical address in 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 237 

Chapter X. He was engaged to Sally, but met Nabby who 
had a prettier face, and I am sorry to say forsook Sally. He 
was tried before Esquire (Dr.) Cleaveland and fined one dollar 
for breach of promise. He paid the fine and took a parting kiss 
from Sally, with the word " You know you ain't so handsome 
as Nabby, but I must have one more good smack from you 
before we part." 

The Kents were remorseless practical jokers. One of them 
said to a neighbor in a great apple year, " The Lord could n't 
send a greater curse than another such crop of apples." " Yes 
he could," was the answer. " What 's that? " rejoined Kent, — 
" Another crop of Kents ; " but there are Kents to-day whose 
character makes the name honorable. Beatle was an itinerant 
exhorter. Some of the Gerrish boys furnished him with a 
hogshead full of water for a pulpit, and when he closed his eyes 
to pray, loosened the hoops and let him fall into the water, 
making him an involuntary Baptist. A certain "Hetty" was 
spinning or weaving at the Adams homestead, and when Beatle 
came into the room to exhort her, she resented his concern for 
her soul, and chased him from the room, whereupon he said to 
Mr. Adams, " You tie Hetty, and I '11 exhort her." 

David Jewett was a bad boy. There are no old grafted trees 
on that Jewett place because young David broke out the scions 
which his father set. When Dr. Parish in a flight of eloquence 
exclaimed, " It is lighter than vanity. To what shall I liken 
it? " David shouted in the midst of the sermon, " Lull's ox." 
For this disturbance of worship he was arrested, tried before 
Esquire Cleaveland, and justly fined five dollars. After his 
marriage, when his wife was in mourning for her father, he 
hid her mourning bonnet, but she wore a very gay one to 
church rather than stay at home. This exhibition of love for 
the Lord's house led him to choose the good part, but he con- 
tinued eccentric, if no longer mischief-making. Every Byfielder 
of my days remembers the turkey-feather fan that he was wont 
to carry to church summer and winter, and the shoes turned 
down at the heels, with which he slouched along. 

Somebody in the north part of the parish was asked by a 



238 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

ladder-vender if he would like to buy. " How much are they a 
foot?" he inquired. "Twelve cents " was the answer. "Very 
well," said he, " I'll take a foot." Down jumped the ladder- 
peddler and sawed him off a foot. He took it, paid the price, 
and quietly remarked, "This 's just what I 've been wanting to 
pick huckleberries." The parish is full of the jests and tricks 
of these unique people, who have left few successors, but I 
must restrain myself and pass on to those who went from us in 
this period. 

THOSE WHO WENT OUT FROM BYFIELD. 

Gen. Albert Pike was of Byfield stock. His line was : 
John (l >, John (2) , Joseph ^\ Thomas ( «>, John<s), Thomas < 6 \ 
(brother to Joseph who has appeared prominently in this his- 
tory), Benjamin ^) (his father). The General was born in Bos- 
ton December 29, 1809, though his birth is not recorded in that 
city, probably because of the fact mentioned to me by Mrs. 
Thompson, namely, that he was brought to Byfield when a few 
days old. His father lived in Nevvburyport for a time, but he 
died in the old house in Warren Street, and was buried here, 
and Albert regarded Byfield as his home and cherished through 
life a tender attachment to his Byfield haunts and friends. 
He wrote me under date of June 3, i860: "Many, many 
long years ago I have gathered walnuts and shot squirrels 
on Long Hill. It saddens me to look back along the proces- 
sion of departed years, and to remember how long the Future 
then seemed and how short the Past is. I wish I could be a 
boy for one single day again and ramble over Long Hill in the 
frosty air of October, and at night sleep the sound sleep of 
youth . . ." The letter is written in a small, elegant hand. 
Albert Pike went to the far west in 1831, and in 1832 made his 
home in Arkansas. He was in the Mexican War, subsequently 
fought a duel, and in the Civil War this son of New England 
became a General in the Confederate army. He resigned, be- 
cause he thought himself unfairly treated, and became a judge 
of the Supreme Court of Arkansas. The famous war song 
beginning 

Southrons, hear your country call you ! 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 239 

and having the refrain 

For Dixie's land we take our stand 
And live or die for Dixie. 

was written by him. After the war Washington became his 
home. He died April 2, 1891. He lived in Washington in 
a masonic temple, and was said to be the most eminent mason 
in the world. Christopher North said of his poems, that they 
entitled their author to a " place in the highest order of his 
country's poets," and Jeremiah Black pronounced him "one of 
the greatest masters of the English language." His poetry 
abounds in the fondest and most beautiful reminiscences of 
New England. Take these familiar lines of his " Farewell 
to New England": — 

Farewell to thee, New England, 
Farewell to thee and thine, 
Good bye to leafy Newbury 
And Rowley's hills of pine. 

Whether I am on ocean tossed, 
Or hunt where the wild deer run, 
Still shall it be my proudest boast, 
That I 'm New England's son. 

Or this from his ode to the only robin he ever saw in New 
Mexico : — 

Hush ! where art thou clinging, 
And what art thou singing, 
Bird of my own native land ? 

Here thou, like me, art alone ; 

Go back on thy track ; 

It were wiser and better for thee and me. 

Or, once more, this from his poem entitled " Home " : — 

Whoever hath 
No pleasant recollections of the path, 
He paced to school, of the orchard, the old mill, 

. . . the clear cold streams 
Where the trout lurks, who never in his dreams 
Drinks from the bucket in the deep old well 1 

1 General Pike, once since the war, well where he used to drink when a boy. 

stopped in front of the Fletcher house in A beautiful oil painting of the house 

Warren Street, his father's home, and and the well hangs in the parlor of his 

asked Mrs. Fletcher for a drink from the daughter, Mrs. Roome, of Washington. 



240 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Hath grown hard hearted, needs must be unkind, 
And deserves pity from the poorest hind. 
All things whatsoever, that we see or hear, 
Contain Home's image, and to eye and ear 
Bring back old things. 

The ancient well-sweep, older than my sire, 

A stout and hale old age : the warm peat fire 

Of winter nights, when out of doors the sleet 

And drifting snow at door and window beat, 

The brave old house fallen somewhat to decay 

Yet sound to the core, lusty though mossed and gray, 

With its dark rafters of good Yankee oak, 

Seasoned by time and blackened by much smoke, 

Familiar fields, walled round with massive rocks, 

Where the autumn harvest stood in sheaves and shocks, 

And every ancient and familiar thing, 

That seemed to watch and love me slumbering. 

These lines even as I copy them awaken in my own mind a 
tender recollection of the days that are departed, and I have 
indulged myself in a somewhat lengthy extract not only because 
they show the rare poetic gift of the author and his apprecia- 
tion of his New England and Byfield home, but also because 
they will help my younger readers to appreciate the aesthetic 
attraction of that bygone New England life which some people 
think utterly prosaic. 

The beautiful home of the General's son, Mr. Yvon Pike, in 
Washington, has two mementos of Byfield that were very dear 
to his father. One is a great and elegant folio Bible with illus- 
trations and the commentary of John Brown of Haddington. 
The General had printed in letters of gold, on the inside cover 
a lengthy inscription, which states that it was bought by his 
mother, being " purchased in weekly numbers, and paid for 
out of her little savings week by week when, with seven mouths 
to feed, my father could earn but $4.50 per week." The in- 
scription also charges his descendants to keep the book " as 
long as there is any one of them who reverences the virtues of 
his ancestors." 

The other memento is a beautiful sampler; it has wrought 
upon it the last stanza of the hymn, 

Come Holy Spirit, heavenly dove. 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 24 1 

and underneath the words, 

Frances H. Pike, born Feb. 15, 1821, abed, n years [old]. 

Death stayed the delicate fingers of the one who wrought it, 
and the needle remains below in the unfinished sampler. Mr. 
Pike reverently carried it in all the wanderings of his early life. 
The late Mr. Ira Dole once told me how fair a flower was this 
young Fanny Pike, his school-mate. 

What shall we say of General Pike's character? We are cer- 
tainly not called upon to bate one jot of our faith in the justice 
of the Union cause and the measureless disaster that would 
have befallen the South as well as North had the issue of the 
struggle been the other way; but as to General Pike let us 
remember that he had lived in the South nearly a generation 
when the war broke out, and let us adopt the sentiment already 
quoted as characteristic of Dr. Parish, " In declaring opinions 
he spoke with confidence ; but persons he left to the tribunal 
of God." 

From the house where Mr. Daniel Dawkins lives there went 
out two brothers who served well their generation. Dea. Samuel 
W. Stickney was President of the Railroad Bank of Lowell 
twenty-two years, and died holding that office. He was a large 
man physically, of an impressive and gracious presence, and in 
character he was the embodiment of fidelity, and a faithful 
steward of the large means that Providence intrusted to his 
care. Through his daughter, Miss Sarah H. Stickney, our 
church has from his estate a helpful fund. His brother, Rev. 
Moses P. Stickney, belonged to the famous class of 1829 at 
Harvard. He was for twenty-three years, if my memory is 
correct, a devoted minister of the Church of the Advent in 
Boston, and was subsequently pastor of Christ Church, Bethel, 
Vermont, until he was eighty years old. He died August 19, 
1894, at the ripe age of eighty-seven. Mr. L. Denison of 
Washington, D. C, contributed to the Yale Literary Magazine 
for October, 1894, a beautiful description of the funeral, with 
the great and varied attendance of " summer people " and coun- 
try folk, including " neighbors of other congregations who had 

16 



242 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

shunned his church but leaned upon his kindly sympathy," 
and a classmate from Harvard, — one of the two who still sur- 
vived, — and preachers from the great churches in Boston — 
all met to do honor to the good minister of Jesus Christ. He 
richly deserved this tribute. None knew him but to love him. 
One of his children is Brunswick Stickney, already mentioned. 

From the old Stickney house by the saw-mill, in the same 
neighborhood, there went forth in 1827 Matthew Adams Stick- 
ney, who made his home in Salem and became an eminent anti- 
quarian. He was, with the efficient co-operation of his daughter, 
Miss Lucy W. Stickney, now connected with the archives of 
the Boston Court House, the author of the Stickney and Fowler 
genealogies. He was born September 23, 1805, and died 
August n, 1894, being almost eighty-nine years old. 

Rev. Ariel P. Chute was born in the ancient Chute home by 
the church, May 16, 1809, and died in Sharon, Massachusetts, 
December, 1887. He was for many years a useful pastor, and 
then a valued officer of the national government in the custom 
house and treasury in Boston. His son, Richard H., was a 
captain in the Union army. 

Col. Jeremiah Colman was the son of Moses Colman who 
carried aid to Valley Forge. He was born on the old Colman 
homestead in Byfield, in 1783, but his home was in Newbury- 
port. He was the agent of the celebrated Eastern Stage Coach 
Company, that flourished so greatly from 181 8 to 1838. In 
1833 they employed five hundred horses. In 1834 their stock, 
whose par value was $100, sold for $202.13 per share. I have 
from Mr. J. G. Plummer of Newburyport, a son of Mr. Nathaniel 
Plummer of Byfield, a graphic description of the days when stag- 
ing was in its glory. Young Plummer took toll at Poor's Corner, 
near Glen Mills. Sixteen stages passed that point every day, 
eight either way, each stage drawn by four good horses ; " four 
turned off and went through Rowley, and four kept on to Tops- 
field, where they changed horses, and then two turned off and 
went down through Danvers on to Salem Turnpike, and two kept 
on the old Turnpike to Boston." The through stages left Ports- 
mouth at 9 A. M., stopped for dinner at Topsfield, and reached 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 243 

Boston at night. During all its career the company is said 
never to have had a passenger killed or injured. Its prosperity 
and safety were largely due to the fidelity and ability of its 
manager, Colonel Colman, but the opening of the Eastern Rail- 
road killed the business. Colonel Colman used to say that he 
was run over by the cars and so put out of business. The road 
reached Salem in 1838, and Newburyport in 1840. Colonel 
Colman built the present Colman house in 1844. He was a 
faithful Trustee of Dummer Academy for thirty-seven years. At 
theDummer centennial when the Colonel was some eighty years 
old, Mr. Cleaveland spoke of him as " one of those favored men 
over whom time seems to have no power." It could not have 
been far from this time that Mr. Luther Moody told me that he 
saw him put one hand on a fence of the usual height, and vault 
it like a school-boy. Colonel Colman throughout his long and 
useful life did honor to the parish that gave him birth. One of 
his sons was Moses Colman, the great horse merchant of Boston, 
who came back to Byfield and lived many years on the old 
homestead, a highly respected citizen, and like his father en- 
joyed a hale old age. The writer had the honor to be one of 
many guests whom he entertained on his eightieth birthday, 
July 27, 1897. On that occasion he told Mr. A. B. Forbes and 
myself how his father was accustomed, when a young man, after 
supper to mount his horse and ride eighty-five miles without 
change to Boscawen, where the grandfather of the narrator fat- 
tened cattle, and where the young horseman would arrive before 
people were up the next morning. Mr. Forbes, who like Mr. 
Colman was an authority in equine matters, remarked that the 
horse that could do that feat probably belonged to the Mes- 
senger breed. Another of Colonel Colman's sons is Mr. J. C. 
Colman, the upright and obliging lumber dealer of Newburyport, 
who is now (1903) in the sixtieth year of his active business life. 
Two Northend brothers went forth during this period to re- 
flect credit on their native parish : Charles Northend, the emi- 
nent teacher, and Hon. William Dummer Northend. The latter 
was born February 26, 1823, was graduated from Bowdoin in 
1843 w it n a high rank, and subsequently received from his Alma 



244 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Mater the degree of LL.D. The college owed her beautiful art 
building to his efforts, and was in many other ways greatly 
indebted to his loyalty. He was for many years President of 
the Board of Trustees of Dummer, and served her interests 
most vigilantly and efficiently. He gave the valuable address 
at the 125th anniversary of the Academy. He was for a series 
of years, until declining health obliged him to resign the office, 
President of the Essex Bar Association. He wrote the " Bay 
Colony," and many valuable historical monographs. He was 
a law partner of Judge George F. Choate, and General Cogswell 
and Secretary Moody were among his law pupils. It was owing 
to his earnest suggestion that I was induced to undertake this 
history, and for some two years he aided and stimulated my 
work in every possible way. At one time I received almost 
daily letters from him. It is a great grief to me that he did 
not live to see the publication of the work. I am thankful that 
he was permitted to attend the Bi-centennial, and to utter fitting 
words at the dinner, but it was only by a triumph of the clear 
and resolute mind over the weak body that he was present. He 
died October 29, 1902, in his eightieth year. 

Sarah Jane Johnson was born February 21, 1820, in the house 
where Mr. Alfred Ambrose recently lived. In 1858 she is said 
to have prevailed upon Mr. John A. Washington to sell Mount 
Vernon to a national association of women. Mr. Washington 
was reluctant to part with his ancestral home, but at length he 
said with tears, " Miss Johnson, you have conquered, I yield to 
you." Her first husband was J. H. Stimson ; her second, Maj. 
J. F. Trayhern of the Confederate army. She was an enthu- 
siastic member of the New Church (Swedenborgian). The 
national Swedenborgian Church of Washington, D. C, received 
from her the gift of two silver baskets for flowers, and a 
baptismal ewer. Her later years were shadowed with many 
" changes and reverses, including the sudden loss of a large 
fortune," and she died in the Confederate Widows' Home in 
Baltimore, January 16, 1901. So, through Mrs. Trayhern, 
Byfield has the high honor to have secured the home of 
Washington for a national possession. 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH (1825-1863). 245 

These brief sketches, which might be multiplied, of some 
of those who went out from Byfield in the period immediately 
preceding the war show that our ancient parish was still a 
fountain of life and blessing to the world. 

THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE. 

No period in Byfield's history has witnessed greater changes 
than that just before the war. Anthracite coal began to be 
burned in the parish. George Wildes brought some to our 
neighborhood and Mr. Joseph Searle put a lump on the back 
log in his fireplace and watched it ignite, but his verdict was, 
" I guess 't'ill be some time before we have a fire of that; " but 
within two years he was burning it in a salamander stove. Mr. 
Cleaveland put two salamanders into the church, one in each 
aisle. One night Mr. Caleb Searle, son of Mr. Joseph and 
father of Mr. Elijah P. Searle, was butchering, when the same 
Mr. Wildes called him out to show him something. " Can't 
stop," said the butcher. "Better come" was the rejoinder; 
"you'll never be sorry;" so the butcher left his work and 
came out and saw George light his pipe with a match. The fol- 
lowing conversation ensued: "Are those the friction matches 
I've read of?" "They are." "Where did you get them?" 
" At Asa Lord's in Ipswich." " What do they cost?" "Two 
boxes for a quarter" [a gross in a box, I presume: as many 
could be bought now for two or three cents.] " Get me a 
dollar's worth." And from that day Mr. Searle discarded the 
tinderbox. The Newburyport Herald of April 21, 1826 had 
this advertisement : 

INDIAN RUBBER 
SHOES. 

The peculiar merits of which will cause them to be admired 
by all who will make trial of the same. Being impervious to 
water they are in a peculiar manner suitable for females, or 
persons of delicate constitutions, who require their feet to be 
kept dry and warm. 

A large assortment of them may be had of 

S. N. Tenney, 
No. 2, State Street. 



246 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

I remember an ancient pair that my grandmother Stickney 
wore. They were not lined, and so would not last so long as 
a pair of our day. The mowing-machine began to relieve the 
farmer of some of his hardest work before the war, although 
with the scythe there passed the merry music of the rifle as it 
whetted the edge. As has been said, the steam railway carriage 
revolutionized travel. When I was a youth Deacon Noyes once 
entertained me with the story of the way his son Daniel went 
to Yale college in 1836. How I wish that I had made minutes 
of that narrative ! As I remember, the deacon took his son in 
his chaise, with his trunk strapped on behind, and he told me 
where they stopped night after night on the journey until at 
length New Haven was reached ; but when his son was grad- 
uated in 1840 I presume that he could return all the way by 
rail. Close after the railroad came the telegraph, annihilating 
space for the transmission of thought. My grandmother used 
to say that she knew the telegraph to be a fact, but that she 
could not comprehend it. 

The size of families greatly diminished during this period. 
No doubt it is true that nature is not so lavish in the gift of 
children as people advance in comfort and intelligence, but 
I fear that too often the fewness of offspring is due to a 
lack of appreciation of the primal blessing on our race, a 
selfish desire for freedom from the effort requisite to rear 
a large family, and the ignoring of the chief means that we 
have to bless the world after we are gone. " Children are 
an heritage of the Lord — Happy is the man that hath his 
quiver full of them." While there was still much careful family 
training, I do not think as great pains were taken for the moral 
and religious welfare of the children, and so the families were 
more numerous where the children, and especially the boys, 
slipped away from a vital connection with the church of Christ. 
Many names might be given of families that had from genera- 
tion to generation been pillars of the church, but were no longer 
connected with it and in many instances felt no responsibility 
for its maintenance. There was a decline in church-going. Up 
to this period practically everybody went to " meeting." I can 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 247 

remember when one person in our neighborhood began to 
habitually stay at home on Sunday, and the efforts that were 
made to persuade him to resume church attendance, and the 
regret that was felt because all such efforts were fruitless. As 
recently as Mr. Tenney's pastorate on a pleasant Sabbath the 
congregation numbered 250 with the head of a family at the 
head of every pew. The cause and the cure of the neglect of 
the house of God cannot be too seriously considered, for " faith 
cometh by hearing." 

It is pleasant to turn from criticism. As we have contrasted 
the period with those that went before it, let us now compare 
it with our own day. The kitchen fireplace still lingered and 
was hung about with strings of dried apples, braided seed-corn, 
and red peppers, with the Old Farmer's Almanac on a handy 
peg. The red dresser — a tall range of shelves — was filled 
with crockery, varied here and there with a pewter dish, a 
family heirloom. The doors were opened by iron latch and 
thumb-piece. The back " linter " attic served as a burial-place 
for all sorts of New England bygones, and an enchanted castle 
for the grandchildren in rainy weather. The ancient well-sweep 
brought the cold water from the open well. The little shoe- 
maker's shop by many a house suggested the twofold industry 
which supplied the modest family treasury — farming in summer 
and shoemaking in winter. Here and there a home still con- 
tained a loom room but it was rarely yet used. The spinning- 
wheel had a little longer vitality, and many a Byfield old boy of 
sixty recalls the pleasant hum of grandma's great wheel. 

As for the table, some things that are now costly luxuries 
were then cheap, — lobsters for instance. Rowley River then 
always honored the drafts made upon it by the lobster trap ; 
but on the whole our table is more appetizing: canned fruits 
are better than the old-fashioned preserves, with the pound of 
sugar to the pound of fruit, better still than the dried berries 
and dried apples of those days. People ate more salt meat 
then than now, and in particular more salt pork, and the women 
especially had less fresh air, for they stayed in doors more and 
had fewer windows open, especially at night. Possibly an 



248 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

unduly salt diet and too little fresh air had something to do 
with the fact that the saddest of diseases, consumption, cut 
short so many fair young lives in the very blossom. Middle- 
aged women wore white caps and carried hand bags embroidered 
with beads. For cold weather every farmer had his warm 
buffalo robe to wrap about him when he drove out. Much peat 
was burned, warming and healthy, but permeating the room 
and its very walls with its peculiar odor. Tallow candles and 
whale oil afforded the staple light, one requiring frequent snuff- 
ing, the other hard to light, and both immensely inferior to 
kerosene in illuminating power. 

Each week as well as each year had something of routine in 
its work, washing on Monday, ironing on Tuesday, baking — 
in the brick oven which gave a choice flavor to the food — and 
mending on Saturday. 

At the beginning of the period " 4 and 6," that is, 4s. 6d. or 
75 cts. was the regular day's wage for unskilled work. Back of 
a door in my grandfather's house was a long line of such charges 
for days' work chalked down — a frequent way of keeping ac- 
count then. In April, 1830, Mr. Moody received from Dummer 
Academy seven shillings ($1.16^3) a day as carpenter, with 
board, and at the same time the Trustees paid Mr. Hale ten 
shillings ($1.66^6) a week for boarding him. This indicates 
the wages of skilled labor and the price of board. Seven 
years later Mr. Moody paid Mr. Hale $2 a week for board. 
Prices throughout the period were largely in fourpences {6% 
cents). Thus long did we have this reminder that we were 
once an English colony. 

Great droves of cattle came down from New Hampshire, and 
Deacon Hale pastured them over night and the farmers came 
and bought from the drover. Postage on papers was charged 
to the receiver, and people were accustomed from time to time to 
settle their account at the post-office. The nearest approach to 
a daily newspaper in our neighborhood was the semi-weekly Ncw- 
buryport Herald, punctually delivered at the door summer and 
winter by Gorham Jewett. A minority took the Congregation- 
alist and the Missionary Herald — broadening, elevating reading 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 249 

for the young of the homestead. The district school did its 
modest, invaluable work for the boys and girls. An old register 
kept by Greenleaf Cheney, as teacher of the Warren Street 
school about 1841, has a roll of fifty-two scholars. To-day in 
the same school there are some seventeen scholars. There are 
as many families, but far fewer children to the family. For the 
older boys who thirsted for learning and were willing to take 
a long walk in order to get it, and whose parents encouraged 
the aspiration, there was Dummer Academy; the girls were 
not so favored, but there was an intermittent select school at 
the vestry for them and for boys also. 

Fashion had its fads even then and in Byfield. A young 
man whose subsequent career of conspicuous success elsewhere 
has already been mentioned in these pages, went to William 
Tenney, parish clerk and shoemaker, brother of the chief-justice, 
and ordered a pair of boots, adding, " Be sure to have them 
squeak well when I go up the meeting-house aisle; " but the 
shoemaker loved a joke, and made the shoes squeak so loud 
that the young man was exceedingly mortified as they trum- 
peted his progress to the family pew, which was nearly up to 
the pulpit. As for recreation, summer brought swimming and 
" plumming " (berrying), and in the early autumn there was the 
parish picnic at Plum Island, sometimes by the more safe than 
swift gondola; on one such occasion a Colman saw a great 
lobster crawling on the river bottom, dived down one side the 
gondola, and came up on the other holding his prize aloft 
triumphantly. Was ever a day so brimful of pleasure as one 
of those Plum Island picnics ! With winter came skating and 
coasting and singing-school and breaking out the roads, with 
a company of men going ahead to shovel away the drifts, and 
a line of yokes of oxen following, drawing the sled with the log 
attached behind to smooth the road ; and early spring brought 
town-meeting, when the boys were delighted to watch the sover- 
eigns of the town do up the business of the year for their little 
domain in a single day. Dancing was tabooed, but the devil 
was only whipped around the stump, for kissing games flourished 
at noon in the school-house — with the ditty : 



250 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

You that are single now married must be, 
But first you must learn to play juniper tree. 

Mr. Henry D. Noyes of Boston has recently reminded us 
that the collation at a first-class party in those days was com- 
posed of John Dummers (a good Byfield apple), walnuts 
(hickory nuts), molasses gingerbread, and sweet cider — after 
all, not unattractive refreshments. 

It was a democratic state of society : there was neither man- 
servant nor maid-servant, but only " help," the hired man out 
of doors and the hired girl in doors. 

Saturday night was sometimes celebrated for months together 
by the cottage prayer-meeting, when friends and neighbors met 
together, crowding adjacent rooms, to read God's word and 
sing and pray and speak, in simple, honest, helpful fashion, of the 
things of the soul, thus gaining help to " so pass through things 
temporal " as to " finally lose not the things eternal." Sunday 
— the Sabbath, they always called it — brought the pleasant 
country walk to the Sabbath-School at 9.30, save in winter, when 
it was at noon, and the two preaching services at 10.45 and at 
2.15. The young went as a matter of course with their elders 
and I think we all enjoyed it. Between the services came the 
baked beans, hot and odorous from the oven, with brown — rye 
and Indian — bread. With the advent of Mr. Tenney came 
also two Sunday-night services, the Sunday-School concert and 
the Missionary Concert with its reports from the brethren, — 
sometimes interesting, always instructive, — and brief concluding 
remarks by the pastor, always both interesting and instructive. 
After Mr. Brooks came, there was a service of some kind every 
Sunday night, to the joy of the young people. " Notes " were 
often " put up " in the Sunday preaching services asking prayers 
for recovery from sickness, or that a bereavement might be 
" sanctified " to those afflicted, or returning thanks for some 
special blessing, like restoration to health. The custom was, 
however, falling into disuse in my youth. Mrs. Eben Jackman 
was perhaps the last to follow the good old practice, which 
might well be revived. Religion lent sunshine to many a week- 



FROM THE DEATH OF DR. PARISH {1825-1863). 25 1 

day labor. Very often the good wife lightened the scrubbing at 
the wash-tub by singing, " How gentle God's commands," or 
" Father, whate'er of earthly bliss." There was less fashion and 
less luxury than now and harder work, but the work was steady, 
free from feverish haste, and there was more content, less eager- 
ness to be rich, less unhappiness caused by the sight of those 
who had more comforts and luxuries : at the same time people 
lacked many aids to a rich life that we enjoy, such as facilities 
for communication, varied reading, opportunities for education, 
enjoyment of the products and inventions of all the world, and 
in religion increased attention to the young, and the clearer 
revelation of the humanity of our Lord and that service to him 
and our fellow-men is the key-note to the satisfying life — so 
the highest possibilities and ideals of life in our day are superior 
to those a half-century ago. 



CHAPTER IX. 

DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 

PASTORS. 

MR. BROOKS' dismission was followed by a long interreg- 
num that taxed the faith and the fidelity of the people. 
For almost twelve years there was no settled pastor. Rev. 
Moses Colman Searle, a native of the parish and a son of 
Mr. Joseph Searle, was for a little time the stated supply, and 
it was allotted in the providence of God that the beneficent 
current of that good man's life should wind about and end 
in the parish that gave him birth. He died here while in 
charge of the parish, December 10, 1865, being sixty-eight 
years old. Joshua S. Gay was subsequently hired for several 
years. Mr. Gay was not dependent on his salary for support, 
for he could hold his own in the hayfield in a line of mowers. 
His appearance was that of a farmer. A third stated supply 
was Rev. William S. Coggin, of Boxford. He had already 
filled out a thirty years' pastorate in that town when of his 
own motion, not that of his people, in accordance with a long- 
cherished purpose, he laid down his charge ; but Boxford's loss 
was Byficld's great gain. He did not remove here, he only 
drove over and preached Sabbath mornings ; but he was a good 
preacher and a cultivated, Christian gentleman. Sometimes his 
wife, who was a kindred spirit, came with him. During the 
five years that Byfield enjoyed his services, twenty-six united 
with the church, twenty of them on confession. So large an 
accession under the ministry of one who could be here so little 
affords a high tribute to his worth. 

Rev. James H. Childs, the eighth settled pastor of the church, 
a graduate of Amherst and Andover, was ordained and installed 
October 7, 1875, and dismissed December 22, 1880. He was 
a studious, devout man, and a faithful preacher and pastor. 




THE PRESENT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE 




IU 






THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE — INTERIOR 

As decorated for the wedding of Mr. Maurice Lacroix and 
Miss Edith M. Adams, July 5, 1898 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 253 

During his pastorate forty-six united with the church, thirty-four 
of them by confession ; and of these thirty-four, sixteen — within 
one of half — were males. For nearly two years after he left, 
the church was without a pastor. Rev. George L. Gleason, 
the ninth pastor, a graduate of Dartmouth and Andover, was 
installed September 20, 1882, and dismissed October 2, 1888. 
His salary was $800 and parsonage, with four weeks' vacation. 
Mr. Gleason was a highly evangelical and earnest preacher and 
pastor, and also an enthusiastic and successful farmer. His 
agricultural skill must have been a stimulus and benefit to his 
people, particularly through the farmers' club which he effi- 
ciently promoted. Mr. Gleason's wife was his helpmate in 
every good work, and their large family of children, growing 
into a noble manhood and womanhood, made the parsonage a 
pure and delightful social centre. When Mr. Gleason resigned, 
strenuous but unsuccessful efforts were made to induce him 
to reconsider his action. Mr. Gleason received sixty to the 
church during his pastorate, — nineteen males and forty-one 
females, — and of the sixty, forty-one joined by confession. 

After Mr. Gleason's dismission, Rev. S. J. McConnell, a 
young Methodist preacher, was stated supply for about a 
year with great acceptance. Rev. Mr. Baxter followed Mr. 
McConnell. Mr. Baxter said in effect that about all a minister 
could hope to do in Byfield was to let the church down gently 
its inevitable decline to extinction. After his resignation he 
went into the gravestone business. 

Interest was at a low ebb at this point in the history of the 
parish, and it was voted, December 17, 1891, " that it is the 
sense of this meeting, if there is not a larger attendance at 
the adjourned meeting, that the affairs of this parish be closed 
up ; " but New Year's night the ladies spread a supper as a 
prelude to the adjourned parish meeting, and "a more hopeful 
feeling was apparent." 

June 1, 1892, Rev. David C. Torrey, a graduate of Harvard 
University, was ordained and installed as the tenth pastor. 
His pastorate extended to May 29, 1902, when he was dis- 
missed with hearty commendation, both of him as a " gifted, 



254 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

able, and successful minister of the gospel," and of the church 
and parish for " the honorable part sustained " by them during 
his pastorate. During his ministry the church received'thirty- 
three — twelve males and twenty-one females ; of these, sixteen 
came by confession. Mr. Torrey's gentlemanly and attractive 
personality, his effective speaking, and his many labors for the 
welfare of his people are so fresh in the recollection of his 
parishioners that there is no occasion to enlarge upon them. 
Rev. Herbert Edwin Lombard was installed as the eleventh 
pastor of the church and parish Thursday evening, December 
ii, 1902, and entered upon his labors with a most hearty wel- 
come from his new people. May his pastorate be eminently 
useful and happy; but its history must be recorded by some 
future writer. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

In 1 87 1, the Methodist Church was lengthened twelve feet, 
and a vestry was put under it. The committee on the work 
were: the pastor Rev. Garret Beekman, Leonard Morrison, 
H. E. Pearson, Samuel Larkin, E. P. Davis, and J. O. Rogers. 
The cost was about $2,000, of which $1,700 was paid almost 
immediately. Special mention should be made, among the 
many who did nobly, of the loving and devoted service of 
Mr. Morrison, the grandfather of Mrs. George W. Adams. He 
not only gave $700, but for many weeks wrought as many 
hours daily upon the building as any workman. 

1875 was signalized by a new organ costing $800. In the 
good work of putting this in, Mr. J. O. Rogers was the leader 
of the many who generously co-operated ; best of all, as he 
gave his money and time to this good work, he " came out 
boldly for Christ." The record for February 7, 1875, reads: 
" Rec'd 120 on probation. 200 communicants at the Lord's 
Supper. Hallelujah." May our beloved sister church who sets 
us an example in so many good works, have many an occasion 
for such a hallelujah. Shortly after, the trustees had applica- 
tion for twenty pews, and there was not one to let. 

A little later two evangelists came out from Boston to Byfield 




**-**■;?:. 



■ 



THE FORMER METHODIST MEETING-HOUSE 




THE NEW METHODIST MEETING-HOUSE 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 255 

station, and taught that the disciples had at first no name but 
Christian. As a result of their labors, about eighteen persons 
withdrew from the Methodist Church. Their separate meetings 
still continue. About thirty now meet together in their building 
near the station, and they have a small Sunday-School. They 
have no pastor, and " any one who has the word of the Lord has 
liberty to take part." They deem an organ unnecessary, for the 
apostle bids us sing with the spirit and the understanding. That 
it is the privilege and duty of every Christian to be assured of 
his acceptance with God is, I think, insisted upon by them. They 
are worthy people, respected by all their neighbors, and zealous 
of good works. 

In 1880, a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,200 — a great 
step forward, for it provides a home for the minister. 

Passing by many other interesting events in the life of this 
church, we come, June 15, 1902, to the dedication of a new and 
beautiful sanctuary, the fitting jewel in the charming little park 
at whose head it stands. This structure cost about $6,500, and 
its dedication made, on the part of our Methodist brethren, a 
splendid celebration of the bi-centennial of Byfield parish. The 
building committee was : H. E. Pearson, chairman ; J. O. 
Rogers, E. W. Kent, J. H. Kent, L. O. Morrill, H. K. Poor, B. 
P. Rogers, J. Thistlewood, and N. Johnson. 



THE CIVIL WAR. 

This period opened amid the throes of the Civil War. Byfield 
had already ceased to be my permanent residence, so that I 
cannot speak of those years in the parish life from full personal 
knowledge ; but I was at home during the school vacations, 
and a picture of that time in the country will answer in general 
for Byfield. Some of its characteristics were crowded patriotic 
meetings with fervid appeals, very frequent calls for troops, 
and enlistments without end, " host encountering host " with 
wounds and slaughter, and at home multiplying mourners, 
including an ever growing number of widows and orphans to 
be cared for, terrible defeats and splendid victories, heavy taxa- 



256 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

tion, generous bounties, and dreaded drafts, although " there 
was in reality no adequate cause why a draft should ever have 
been made in Massachusetts." (Schouler, " History of Massa- 
chusetts in the Civil War," p. 481.) The great majority of the 
people were intensely patriotic, and disappointment, delay, and 
defeat, only fanned their patriotism to a fiercer flame. There 
were, however, some men who were by nature more conserva- 
tive, and there were also " copperheads," fittingly named after 
a treacherous and venomous snake, who exulted in heart, and 
would have done so openly had they dared, at every reverse to 
the Union armies. 

A mighty volume of earnest prayer was continually ascend- 
ing to the God of our fathers. Woman bore her part with 
tender fortitude. Although in most instances she remained at 
home, she was continually ministering to those at the front with 
her needle and the good things that she cooked. As it was a 
civil struggle, and not except in its deeper sense religious, the 
towns were its centres rather than the parishes ; but Byfield's 
heart beat responsive to that of the nation throughout the con- 
test. Mr. N. N. Dummer tells of a company that at the out- 
break of the war took in everybody and used to drill in front 
of his house. One day Rev. Mr. Brooks addressed the mem- 
bers from Mr. Dummer's yard and then they marched down 
to Rowley and called on Dr. Proctor and Dr. Pike for 
speeches. Dr. Proctor was very conservative, and it was 
the delight of the patriotic young men to put such people 
under pressure to indorse the Union cause. I caught little 
glimpses of the temper of our people when I was at home 
from time to time. It happened that my mother and I drove 
into Newburyport the day that brought the heavy tidings of 
the first defeat at Bull Run, and as we stopped to water our 
horse at Mr. David S. Caldwell's, we told him of our disaster. 
The comment of the stanch patriot was to this effect, " Well, we 
must only put forth greater efforts." A citizen of the Rowley 
part of Byfield said in town-meeting, urging men to enlist, 
"We'll take care of your families, and if you fall we'll build 
you a monument of gold." A citizen of the Georgetown part 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 257 

of Byfield, Mr. George W. Sanborn, was one of the three who 
efficiently discharged the onerous duties of selectmen through- 
out the war. Our great war governor, John A. Andrew, could 
not have performed his part so well had he not been vigorously 
sustained by what we may term the war selectmen in the towns. 
April 28, 1861, Captain Pearson of Byfield "volunteers his 
whole command (Co. B, First Battalion of Rifles) for the war," 
and through the influence of that company " the mills village 
sent more men to the war . . . than any equal population in 
Essex Co., and men as brave and daring as the American army 
ever contained." Gen. A. W. Greely began his army career in 
that company, for which he retains an enthusiastic regard. 
After my mother's death I found among her papers two 
letters, one from Massachusetts' Surgeon-general Dale, and 
the other from our State's military agent Tufts, acknowledg- 
ing a barrel of sanitary supplies and an inclosure of money 
from Byfield for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. I 
took the night train home from New Haven for the spring 
vacation the night that President Lincoln was shot. A dis- 
quieting rumor to that effect awoke us at Hartford, it was con- 
firmed at Springfield, and when I reached Boston the city was 
already beginning to put on mourning. I think the heavy 
message had somehow reached even to my father's out-of-the- 
way neighborhood before my arrival, but I always remember 
the comment of Mrs. Moses W. Howe to me that morning, 
" I feel as though I had lost my father." 

Of the three towns in whose corners Byfield nestles, Rowley 
furnished fourteen more men than her quota, Newbury twenty- 
five, and Georgetown twenty-six; and Newbury held, on April 3, 
1 86 1, a town-meeting to consider the state of the country, the 
first of its kind in the United States. — These little items may 
give some idea of the fidelity of our region to the patriotic 
cause throughout those four years of strain and agony, of faith 
and ultimate but chastened victory. 

I give the long though imperfect list of Byfield's volunteers 
in the Appendix. According to this record Rowley-Byfield fur- 
nished eleven soldiers, of whom one died in the service, and six 

17 



258 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

were non-commissioned officers ; Georgetown-Byfield furnished 
fifty-eight, of whom four were killed in action, three died of 
sickness in the service, and one of wounds, and one died shortly 
after discharge, of disease contracted in the service, — in all, 
nine, — and six were commissioned officers, and one non-com- 
missioned ; Newbury-Byfield furnished twenty-eight, of whom 
two were killed in action, and one died shortly after discharge, 
of disease contracted in the service ; two were commissioned 
officers, and seven non-commissioned officers. No doubt a full 
record would show a larger number of non-commissioned offi- 
cers from Georgetown-Byfield. It should be borne in mind that 
the Georgetown part of the parish contains three times as much 
territory as the Rowley part, and probably an equal proportion 
of people. The total is ninety-seven soldiers, of whom thirteen 
died in the service, or shortly after discharge in consequence of 
service, eight received commissions, and fourteen, and probably 
a number more were non-commissioned officers; two at least 
were conscripts, and one was a substitute, but all three were 
faithful soldiers, and not one of all the ninety-seven was a 
deserter — a goodly record. 



PARISH EVENTS. 

With the close of the war the life of the parish returned to 
its quiet course, but the call to faith and labor and self-denial 
was not lacking. From time to time the society passed 
through great straits, and we read of gratuitous preaching and 
of aid solicited from the Conference, and there were apprehen- 
sions that the church must be closed ; but Christian churches 
die hard. Light and shadow followed each other and the light 
predominated. In 1874 the commodious new vestry was 
erected at a cost, up to March 3, 1875, of $1667.23. The same 
year the horse-sheds south of the church were built. When 
the church was built in 1833 there were a few dilapidated horse- 
sheds, which soon disappeared ; from that time on for nearly 
forty years there were, except Mr. Gorham Parsons' coach-house, 
no sheds whatever, greatly to the inconvenience of the horses 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 259 

and the depletion of the congregation in bad weather, but the 
enterprise to arise and build was lacking. It was a cheering 
token of increased life in the parish when that row of horse- 
sheds appeared. Nineteen years later the horse-sheds by the 
vestry were built. In 1875 Mrs. J. P. R. Daniels of Georgetown, 
sister of George Peabody, and whose means came from him, 
bought and gave to the parish our present parsonage. It had 
already been the home of our ministers for twenty-five years, 
and is admirably adapted for that purpose in itself and from its 
location. Deacon Colman builded better than he knew when 
he erected it so thoroughly and in such good taste. Through 
it Byfield also belongs to the great and widely scattered fellow- 
ship of those who are benefited by the accumulations of the 
illustrious London banker, himself of Byfield stock. In 1876 
the present organ, which had already done service in the First 
Church of Georgetown, was purchased, under the auspices of 
the Ladies' Benevolent Society, for $400. 

December 31, 1878, a sad tragedy cast its shadow over 
Byfield. On that morning the church clerk, Mr. John H. Cald- 
well, who was respected and esteemed by the entire community, 
as he was kneeling at family prayers was instantly killed by his 
wife. She stole up behind him and cut the back of his head 
with an axe with such force as to bury the blade of the axe in 
the brain. She was a good woman, but insane. 

In 1882 there was a surplus in the parish treasury. 

In September, 1883, Mr. Isaac Wheelwright sought to revive 
the ancient seminary in the old building. It continued three 
years and had several teachers in succession, particularly Miss 
Mary E. Rogers (Mrs. Thaddeus Hale). During her incum- 
bency the pupils increased from seventeen to thirty. Among its 
pupils were Rev. Raymond Adams and George Gleason the 
Y. M. C. A. secretary in Japan, Miss Adams principal of the 
Winthrop School of Ipswich, and Miss Alice Gleason mission- 
ary of the American Board in Mexico. Mr. Wheelwright 
spared no labor nor money that would contribute to the success 
of the seminary. 

In 1885 the ancient two-o'clock service at the church was 



260 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

given up, with the thought that possibly it might be held in 
various parts of the parish. 

In 1886 the parish gratefully acknowledged a gift of land 
from Mrs. A. B. Forbes, and the same year under her generous 
leadership a new bell was purchased. 

In 1889 the church issued a new manual. If we compare 
this manual with the one of 1837, we find that the later 
one is less than half as long. In consequence it is less 
comprehensive and less instructive. The distinctive points of 
what is called Orthodox Congregationalism are largely miss- 
ing, such as election and even the universality of the atone- 
ment, which the creed of 1837 emphasized with italics; the 
statement of the earlier creed, that our eternal state will 
depend upon the deeds done in the body, is likewise omitted. 
Altogether, the later creed illustrates the tendency of the times. 
The beautiful and solemn covenant of 1837 is retained without 
any change. 

April 1 8, 1894, the Ladies' Benevolent Society celebrated 
its semi-centennial with a large and enthusiastic gathering of 
parishioners and many former residents. Mrs. F. W. Blake 
contributed a hymn. Mr. J. C Peabody wrote a poem for the 
occasion, full of delightful reminiscences. Mrs. Leonard Adams 
read an exceedingly interesting review of the fifty years. This 
history has already paid tribute to the great services rendered 
by the Ladies' Society, but I will add some items concerning 
their work derived from Mrs. Adams' paper. Mrs. Sewall 
Woodman was the efficient President, in all, for fourteen years. 
Mrs. Sewall Woodman, Mrs. Tappan Pearson, and Mrs. Abigail 
Jackman were the committee to secure our first furnace. To 
secure the money, they made, or in some instances hired made, 
one hundred and fourteen articles, including overalls, linen 
collars, socks, shoes, — the closing and binding, — one quilt, and 
"cloth rabbits." In 185 1 they held their annual meeting with 
Mrs. Tappan Pearson, who was then President, and Mr. Pearson 
treated all the members to a ride on the railway to Newburyport, 
which had been opened May 23 of the previous year. Church 
lamps, a melodeon, our present vestry, our pipe organ, general 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 26 1 

repairs at various times on church and parsonage, home-mis- 
sionary barrels, and a church bell are some of the many good 
works wherewith they have blessed the parish and the world. 
The new vestry was built " mainly through the vigorous efforts 
of Mrs. Whipple." Mrs. E. G. Parsons, wife of the Preceptor, 
Mrs. George Knight, Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. Daniel 
P. Noyes, the leading spirit in the home-missionary work of the 
society, Mrs. Gleason, and Mrs. Burnham received warm and 
grateful mention in the paper. I am sure that all others would 
add to this list the name of the author of the paper, Mrs. 
Leonard Adams ; and I am equally sure that a multitude more, 
whose names were passed over in silence for lack of time, were 
the efficient coworkers of those who received richly deserved 
praise. We cannot overestimate the debt of our parish to our 
good women ; to their enthusiasm, their generosity, and their 
unending toil — toil even to weariness in the work, but never 
weariness of the work. May Heaven reward them and per- 
petuate their spirit. 

On June 13, 1900, Mrs. A. B. Forbes presented to the Acad- 
emy, in honor of Governor Dummer, the beautiful tablet which 
is over the fireplace in the south parlor of the Mansion House. 
The day was one of June's rarest. There was a great gathering 
of alumni and friends, and the exercises were held under the 
broad branches of the noble trees. Messrs. Northend, Putnam, 
Little, Bancroft, Kidder, and Ropes spoke. Mrs. Forbes made 
the presentation address, and her queenly grace of bearing 
made her choice words doubly impressive. 

The same year the electric line was extended from George- 
town through Byfield via Dummer Academy to Newburyport 
and Ipswich, — a great addition to the conveniences of life for 
the parish and for the Academy in particular. May the line 
some day run past the church southward. 

In 1901 the beautiful and commodious new school-house near 
the station was erected, at a cost of $13,500. The size of this 
school-house is significant, for it was built large enough to 
accommodate those who formerly attended the district schools 
that are now closed. Whether the superior advantages of the 



262 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

central graded school will compensate for the greater with- 
drawal of the little children from the mother's tender care re- 
mains to be seen. Certainly that " university of the common 
people," the district school, will retain a warm place in the 
hearts of the old boys and girls who there found so pleasant an 
acquaintance with one another, with faithful and competent 
teachers, and with the rudiments of knowledge. 

In 1902 another church manual — the third in sixty-five years 
— was issued. The tendency that characterized the manual 
of 1888 is even stronger in this one, but the ancient covenant 
still holds its honored place without change. These creeds, cut 
shorter and shorter, suggest the inquiry whether it is not better 
to present a full statement of the belief for which the church 
stands and which she expects to be taught in pulpit and Sunday- 
School, while those who give credible evidence of piety are 
welcome to her communion, even though they cannot assent to 
every article of her creed. This is the course of most Protes- 
tant churches, — the Episcopal and Presbyterian, for example. 

The auxiliary to the Woman's Board of Missions and the 
Helen Noyes Mission Band have come in to render efficient 
service to the cause of missions. 

Many of the events here recorded and of the deeds done may 
seem trivial to an outsider, but it is by little things that the life 
of church and parish is sustained, and that life is not a little 
thing for those who come under its influence. 

DECEASED CITIZENS. 

A number of citizens who died during this period were men- 
tioned in the preceding chapter because their activities were so 
largely before the war, but I will add a few names of persons 
who lived until the latter part of the period before us. Rev. 
Daniel P. Noyes was the son of Dea. Daniel Noyes, and the 
grandson of Dr. Parish. He was born in Byfield June 4, 1820, 
and was graduated from Yale College in 1840. He was tutor 
there for several years, and subsequently a Presbyterian pastor 
in Brooklyn, Secretary of the American Home Missionary 



,;_., „ 




THE NEW SCHOOLHOUSE, BYFIELD STATION 




BIRTHPLACE OF SECRETARY MOODY 

This house has beautiful ancient interior work, and it stands on the site of the house 
of Deacon William and Mehetable (Sewall) Moody 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 263 

Society, Secretary of the Massachusetts Home Evangelization 
Society, and Congregational pastor in Wilmington, Massa- 
chusetts. He died in Byfield, June 3, 1888. Mr. Noyes united 
high intellectual ability and finished scholarship with devout 
piety and charming social gifts. He was dear to all who knew 
him, a great lover of his native parish, and exceedingly famil- 
iar with her history and traditions. Mr. Noyes' wife, Helen 
McGregor Noyes, survived him less than two years. Brilliant 
and tactful, full of enthusiasm and kindness, she was her 
husband's fitting companion. Though her " soul was like a 
star," yet she travelled " on life's common way in cheerful 
godliness." 

Isaac Wheelwright was born in Newburyport, September 17, 
1801, and died in Byfield, July 14, 1891. He was the great- 
great-grandson of Capt. John Wheelwright of Wells, Maine, 
who was known as the " bulwark against the Indians on the 
east," and this Captain John was the grandson of the Rev. John 
Wheelwright, the able and eccentric friend of Ann Hutchinson, 
who was exiled by Massachusetts on the charge of sympathy 
with her heresies, and who lived to be the oldest minister in the 
colony. Our Mr. Wheelwright was a graduate of Bowdoin and 
of Andover, and a teacher for many years in South America. 
He had lived in Byfield since 1854. He resembled his ancestor 
Rev. John Wheelwright in longevity, but no suspicion of heresy 
ever attached to him ; for he was intensely and inflexibly old- 
school in theology and life. He was known to take up his hat 
and glide out of a prayer-meeting if a sister arose to take part, 
but he was a model of conscientiousness and unselfish devotion 
to the house of God and the welfare of his fellow-men. His 
generosity tided the good cause in Byfield over many a place 
of shallow water. He was emphatically a gentleman of the old 
school, dignified and courteous in bearing, and always ready 
with a cheery word for a friend and an endless store of informa- 
tion as to either division of the western hemisphere. 

Mr. Alexander B. Forbes was born in Stracathro near 
Brechin, Scotland, November 23, 1836, and died in Byfield, 
March 1, 1903. He was apprenticed when fourteen years old 



264 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

for four years, and at the end of his term received for his pay 
a new suit of clothes. Three years later he came to America. 
Mr. Forbes, although he came two centuries later, was of the 
same type with the pioneers of our parish — Christian, hard- 
working, frugal, far-sighted. I believe that now emigrants are 
required to have a small amount of money ; whether Mr. Forbes 
brought any money I do not know, but he was himself a great 
acquisition to our country's capital. By his marriage with Miss 
Susan Elizabeth Parsons Brown he became connected with our 
Parsons family. His career was steadily upward. In 1874 the 
firm of Forbes and Wallace was formed, that was destined to 
become so successful. As their business grew they enlarged 
their premises from time to time until in 1893 their floor space 
covered 130,000 square feet. With increasing prosperity his 
services to the public and his benevolences increased, for he was 
always a systematic and generous giver. A severe fall in 1893 
led to his retirement from business three years later to Father- 
land Farm. Mr. Forbes had bought the farm and given it to 
Mrs. Forbes twelve years before, and it had been for some 
years prior to Mr. Forbes' retirement their summer home. He 
was heartily identified with every Christian and public interest 
of the parish and region, and with the coming of Mr. and Mrs. 
Forbes, Fatherland Farm became once more true to its ancient 
traditions as the seat of a bounteous hospitality. 

PERSONS GOING OUT FROM THE PARISH. 

A current of useful lives has continued to flow forth from 
the old parish. Robert B. Risk and his wife, Angelina (Root) 
Risk, have been for many years, the one Superintendent, and 
the other matron of the State Home and School for Dependent 
and Neglected Children in Providence, Rhode Island. The last 
report of the Board of Control of the Institution says of them, 
" We have been extremely fortunate in the superior manage- 
ment of our superintendent and his wife — Mr. and Mrs. Risk 
are hard-working people, untiring in their thoroughness and 
conscientious care of every department and every child." 





MRS. S. E. P. FORBES 



ALEXANDER B. FORBES 
I 836- I 903 




THE PARSONS MANTEL, FATHERLAND FARM MANSION 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 26$ 

Messrs. L. R. Moody, son of Luther Moody, G. H. Dole, son 
of Henry Dole, O. C. Hubbard, son of Calvin Hubbard, H. D. 
Noyes, son of Dea. Daniel Noyes, and E. P. Noyes, son of Rev. 
Daniel P. Noyes, are successful business men, — Mr. Dole in 
Haverhill, the others in Boston. The late D. A. Caldwell, son 
of D. S. Caldwell, was a very popular teacher in Boston. Dr. 
Charles Caldwell, likewise a son of D. S. Caldwell, is a phy- 
sician in Chicago. Dr. R. B. Root, son of Dr. M. Root, is a 
physician in Georgetown with a large practice. Mr. Edward 
Dummer, son of John Dummer, is in the patent business. 
Prof. Atherton Noyes of Colorado College, like his brother 
Edward just mentioned, is true to the traditions that he inherits 
with his Noyes and Parish blood. Rev. R. M. D. Adams, son of 
G. W. Adams, is an Episcopal pastor in Dorchester. The list 
might be greatly extended, but I will add only one more name. 

Hon. William H. Moody was born December 23, 1853, on 
the place where Deacon William lived two hundred years ago. 
His Moody line is : William' 1 ), Samuel (2) , William< 3) (Deacon 
William who married Mehitable, daughter of that Henry Sewall 
from whom have descended five judges of our highest Mas- 
sachusetts court, three of them Chief-Justices), Samuel'*', 
Paul's), William' 6 ), Henry I>), William H.< 8 ). Mr. Moody fitted 
for college at Phillips, Andover, where he won distinction as 
an all-round man, being president of " Philo," captain of the 
base-ball nine, and a scholar of high rank. At Harvard, where 
he earned money for his expenses as a private tutor, he stood 
third in his class for the last two years ; he was graduated in 
1876. The government's case in the Lizzie Borden trial was 
conducted by him, and his management of it led Senator Hill, 
of New York, to predict for him a brilliant career. He was 
chosen to Congress at a special election in 1895 to succeed the 
lamented General Cogswell, and was at once recognized as a 
leader in that national galaxy of able men. A conspicuous 
feature in Mr. Moody's many-sided worth as a public man is 
his candor and freedom from bitterness. For example, when 
President Cleveland was violently assailed from Mr. Moody's 
side in the House, he remarked to a friend, " I do not like such 



266 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

denunciation. Mr. Cleveland is my President." He was re- 
elected to each successive Congress by handsome majorities, 
until he resigned in 1902 to accept the office of Secretary of 
the Navy, where he has displayed the same fairness, ability, and 
devotion to duty that have distinguished all his ascending 
career. It proves the persistent vigor of the Byfield stock, 
that a son of several of her oldest families — for Mr. Moody 
has Dummer, Sewall, and Hale, as well as Moody blood — 
should be called to a higher office in the national government 
than any ever before filled by a native of the parish ; although 
Theophilus Parsons was probably offered the position of 
Attorney-General (" Memoir," p. 121). 

An interesting contribution of our parish to the public good 
consists of persons of Byfield descent, though not of Byfield 
birth. For example, the Cheneys, the great silk manufacturers 
of Connecticut, are of our Byfield Cheney lineage, and John 
Law Olmstead, the noted landscape gardener, is a descendant 
of Prof. John Smith. 



BYFIELD PEOPLE OF TO-DAY. 

Hon. C. O. Bailey is the most prominent citizen politically. 
Although still comparatively young, he has been on the school 
board nine years, four years selectman, member of the conven- 
tion that nominated Mr. McKinley in 1896, and member of the 
State House of Representatives and Senate for two sessions of 
each body. 

Mr. Benjamin Pearson, the seventh, Mr. Bailey's next-door 
neighbor, is an enterprising, prosperous, and public-spirited 
citizen. He has various lines of business. The Byfield Snuff 
Company, of which he is at the head, manufactures over 100,000 
pounds of snuff yearly, which sells for some $60,000. 

The heaviest tax-payer in Byfield is Samuel Williams, a 
non-resident. His tax for 1903 is $414.23, at the rate of 
$10.50 per $1,000. He and his son own the Byfield Woollen 
Mill on the ancient mill privilege at Newbury Falls. They 
employ about 130 operatives, and their weekly output is some 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 267 

15,000 pounds of blankets and felts, worth $8,000. They ex- 
tended their plant in 1899 by erecting a large three-story brick 
building. 

Mrs. Forbes' tax of $310.28 is the largest paid by any resi- 
dent of Byfield or of her town. I have had occasion to mention 
her with honor repeatedly in this history. Most worthily does 
she represent the family of her great-grandfather, the minister 
Parsons. 

Master Perley L. Home is one of those persons who, by 
reason of their character and ability, " could not be hid " in any 
history of their locality. The parish is fortunate in having its 
history written at a time when the Academy is doing a work 
worthy of its best traditions, and its success is largely due to 
the modest but rare worth of its master. Since he came, in 
1896, the Mansion House has been restored at a cost of $8,000, 
the farm buildings put in good order, Pierce Hall erected, and 
the school reorganized according to the latest methods. The 
number of pupils last year was forty-one. 

Mr. Justin O. Rogers has, by his successful business career 
and his enthusiastic promotion of the interests of the commu- 
nity, particularly as those interests centre in the church of his 
section of the parish, made himself a part of our best history. 
Mrs. J. O. Rogers illustrates an observation of the wise Rev. 
John Todd, to the effect that whenever he had found a particu- 
larly successful or useful man, he had almost always found by 
his side a wife of rare excellence. 

Mr. Nathaniel N. Dummer was born March 25, 1829. His 
long business career has been marked by inventive genius, 
large and varied enterprise, and an elasticity that even at the 
age of seventy rises superior to disaster, as when he rebuilt the 
saw-mill which was burned down in 1899. His cereals lead all 
rivals from Portsmouth to Providence. Fifty-two years ago he 
began to send out breadstuffs in small packages, being the 
pioneer in this attractive way of selling. This cheerful, upright, 
kindly veteran in business has a warm place in the hearts of all 
who know him. 

Mr. Fred M. Ambrose, of the Ginn firm, is the despair and 



268 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

the admiration of his competitors in the book-publishing busi- 
ness in New York, as the writer can testify from personal 
acquaintance in the book trade. 

Miss Emily M. Morgan, a descendant of Judge Byfield, and 
the Adelynrood, of which she is the devoted friend, make a 
great acquisition to Byfield's summer population. The Ade- 
lynrood is in charge of the Companions of the Holy Cross, 
an Episcopal sisterhood. Its two aims are " simplicity of life 
and intercessory prayer." It also fosters culture and sensible 
recreation. Under its hospitable shelter, many a woman weary 
from the toil of the year finds a delightful resting-place. 

Dea. Leonard Adams has long contributed to the best life of 
the parish in many ways. One of his services has been in the 
choir, of which he has been an efficient member for some forty- 
eight years, much of the time as chorister. Long may his patri- 
archal and kindly form adorn his place among those who lead 
the sacred song. It would be a pleasure to speak of many 
more excellent citizens, but this is a history of the past rather 
than a roll of present worthies. 

Its summer residents are becoming an important feature of 
Byfield life. When the writer was a boy there were no summer 
residents but such as were also winter residents. But now Mr. 
Edward Noyes, Rev. Mr. Dagen, Mrs. Hill, Mr. G. H. Dole, 
Mr. L. R. Moody, and J. L. Ewell, as well as the ladies of the 
Adelynrood just mentioned, and Messrs. George and Allen, are 
some of those who are finding in Byfield or its borders a 
pleasant summer home. These families are largely represented 
in our summer congregation. May their tribe increase, but 
may Byfield never become a fashionable summer resort. 



EARLY DEATHS. 

All along the course of our parish history there have been those 
whose sun went down at noon, or, sadder still, in life's bright 
morning, and yet not before promise had been given of a useful 
and happy day. I will contribute what I may to preserve the 
memory of a few such who have died in my own time. Mary 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 269 

Root, daughter of Dr. Root, Martha Adams, daughter of 
Stephen Adams, Sarah and Jenny Chaplin, daughters of Calvin 
Chaplin, were called away at the opening of a lovely woman- 
hood. Edwin Howe, son of Moses Howe, lived but twenty-one 
years, but his drawings indicate that the world lost an artist in 
his early death. S. A. Poor, son of Eliphalet Poor, and older 
brother of Mrs. J. O. Rogers, was stimulated to get an educa- 
tion by the kindly and generous interest of Gorham Parsons. 
He taught with very great acceptance for three years in his 
native parish, then in Dorchester, and then for nineteen years 
in the leading grammar-school of Brighton, when he was cut 
down in his prime. He died November 24, 1864, being forty- 
four years old. The Brighton School Report for that year 
said of him : " Through his protracted career he has been an 
eminently popular and successful teacher, and he will continue 
to live in the grateful remembrance of hundreds who were 
privileged to be his pupils." Henry Colman, son of Moses 
Colman, was a youth of a beauty of face and of character that 
gave promise of a life of unusual richness, only to disappoint 
the fond hopes that centred in him by his death on the thresh- 
old of his Harvard course. George W. Sanborn, son-in-law 
of Mrs. Abigail Jackman, the able town and parish officer, was 
cut down by typhoid fever at the age of fifty-one in 1874, and 
seventeen years later his son George E. Sanborn, who greatly 
resembled his father in practical wisdom and integrity, was 
stricken in the west with the same disease, and died before he 
could reach home, being but thirty-three years old. Lucy 
Searle, daughter of Elijah P. Searle, died June 20, 1897, at tne 
age of twenty-four. She belonged to the same class with the 
maidens mentioned just before — unselfish centres of love and 
sunshine to all about them. Howard F. Morrill was born July 
16, 1870, and succumbed after a long and heroic struggle for 
life, May 6, 1903, being not quite thirty-three years old. He 
was very dear not only to his home, but also to a great circle of 
warm friends, and was honored by his town, in which he was 
serving a second term as selectman at his early death. 

Many of these whom I have mentioned passed on so long 



270 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

ago that time, the gentle healer, has assuaged the grief of the 
friends that survive, but the reading of some of these names 
where the bereavement is recent must awaken tender and tearful 
recollections. There have been many, many more whose pre- 
mature death, as it seemed to our short vision, has awakened 
equal sorrow, and left behind an equally dear memory, and I 
would gladly record all their names, but I could only speak of 
a few of those best known to me. May he who shed the tear of 
sympathy at Bethany comfort all hearts that bleed, and care 
for all that are left desolate, till — 

At our Father's loved abode 
Their souls arrive in peace. 



A LOOK BACKWARD AND FORWARD. 

We have travelled a long road since we started amid the 
geologic foundations of the parish. How changeful has been 
the panorama ! How remote seems the life of the pioneers 
from our own in circumstance as in time ! — their main reliance 
for meat, the barrel of salted beef or pork ; their clothing, the 
toilsome fruit of the wheel and loom at home, or the skins of 
beasts ; for reading, no newspapers and few books ; for work in 
the field, only the primitive hoe, scythe, and sickle, and the like ; 
for travel, nothing swifter than the horse and the sail ; for com- 
munication with absent friends, only the slow and infrequent 
mail. All the changes, however, have not been progress: the 
family has dwindled until it can hardly colonize unless it 
abandon the homestead ; the farms have contracted, because 
many a field has deteriorated into a pasture, many a pasture 
into a woodland; and the house of God is unfrequented by 
many. As for the ancient centre of the parish, where once 
there were the meeting-house, the parsonage, the doctor's 
office, the blacksmith's shop, the store, and the post-office, 
only the meeting-house and the parsonage remain, but shall 
they not attract the people all the more strongly in their isola- 
tion from the lines of secular life? 

Here we must pause, — but the road winds on. What scenes 



DURING THE REBELLION AND SINCE. 27 1 

shall it disclose in the future? Possibly the trolley and the 
free rural delivery will bring some increase of people, and the 
large neighboring city population, and improved agricultural 
methods may give a new impetus to farming, and future dis- 
coveries and inventions may multiply the efficiency of labor in 
general, and the conveniences of living. 

We know not what the future hath 
Of marvel or surprise. 

But some things will not change — the procession of the 
generations will move as swiftly as of yore, and the ancient 
word will hold true of each one who shall follow us, as of us 
and all that have vanished: "I am a stranger in the earth." 
And the conditions for making this short life worth the living 
are evermore the same, — the union, if I may so say, of content 
and discontent, that is, of a cheerful acceptance of one's Pro- 
vidential lot, with a worthy ambition to make the most of one's 
self for himself, his fellow-men, his God and Saviour. Such a 
happy union of opposite but not contradictory virtues was a 
marked characteristic of our fathers and largely the secret of 
Byfield's worthy history, and if a similar union may characterize 
the parish in the future, it shall be well with Byfield, and Byfield 
shall do well by the world. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

PREPARATION. 

INCOMPARABLY the greatest event of the period, at least 
to the outward eye, and one of the greatest events in all 
the long history of the parish, was the bi-centennial celebration 
of July 27 and 30, 1902. The first meeting with reference to it 
was held at Mrs. Forbes', August 27, 1900, at which the duty 
and the benefits of such a celebration were presented and 
much interest was manifested. A second meeting was held 
at the same place September 11 of the same year, and that 
hospitable and historic mansion became the regular place of 
meeting. November 16, 1901 an executive committee was ap- 
pointed. April 21, 1902, a general committee was appointed, 
with Master Perley L. Home as chairman, and thirteen sub- 
committees. 

So thorough an organization indicates the rising tide of en- 
thusiasm. Early in the summer of 1902 a generous subscription 
was made by residents and friends of the parish, and the com- 
mittee was enlarged so that the Methodist society might be 
fittingly recognized. Some who do not regularly attend either 
church were warmly interested and efficient workers. The 
meetings at Mrs. Forbes' became occasions of delightful ac- 
quaintance and social intercourse between people from all parts 
of the parish and from both societies. Many historic sites were 
neatly marked. Messrs. S. T. Poor and W. H. Morse were in 
charge of this work and did it most efficiently. In due time 
invitations were sent out to a multitude of the widely scattered 
sons and daughters of the parish. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 2J$ 

THE SUNDAY CELEBRATION. 

At length the long anticipated time, which had been arranged 
for at so great cost of time and toil and money, arrived. 
Sunday, July 27, was a lovely summer Sabbath, sunny but not 
sultry. The church was thronged at 10.45, an d again at 3 
o'clock, with parishioners, citizens of neighboring towns, and 
the returning children of Byfield. The devotional exercises of 
the morning were conducted with great appropriateness by the 
Rev. R. M. D. Adams; the excellent sermon was by Rev. J. M. 
Lowell of Haverhill upon the mission of the church, and the 
communion which followed was administered by Rev. Messrs. 
Torrey and Shenk, representing the two churches. In the 
afternoon the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. 
Messrs. Torrey and Wheelwright, the latter, like Mr. Adams, a 
son of the parish. A letter from Miss S. A. Emery, who, like 
Mr. Lowell, has since passed away from earth, was read, recalling 
the last sermon of Dr. Parish some seventy-seven years before, 
which she heard. The sermon was by the author of this book. 
Its theme was, " Our fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God 
in bygone generations of Byfield." The music at both services 
was wortny of the occasion. In it persons from without as 
well as from within the parish participated. The great congre- 
gation lingered long after it was dismissed to exchange friendly 
greetings, and when at last the people dispersed it was with the 
grateful feeling that they had a goodly heritage, whose bi- 
centennial had been worthily initiated. 

THE GREAT DAY. 

Wednesday, the 30th, was, like Sunday, a perfect summer 
day. Some of the houses had been beautifully decorated, 
particularly Fatherland Farm mansion. The front of the meet- 
ing-house was tastefully festooned, and bore the motto, " Sons 
and Daughters, Welcome Home." A conspicuous feature of 
the interior decorations was an American eagle, shot on the 
farm of Mr. Charles Knight. The throng was even greater 
than on the first day. The people began to assemble long 

18 



274 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

before the appointed hour, and they came from all quarters, 
and in all sorts of ways, afoot, in carriage, by train, and electrics. 
Some had made great efforts to be there, — Maj. A. J. Cheney 
of Chicago, for example. The exercises in the church began 
at 10 A. M. ; J. L. Ewell presided. The music was by a quartette 
and orchestra, but the whole congregation joined in singing 
" Our God, our help in ages past," to the old tune of York. It 
was an inspiring audience; seats and aisles and pulpit steps, 
floor and gallery, were packed with people, who, if they could 
not sit, stood all through, while many listened intently outside 
in the encircling resting-place of the silent dead whose virtues 
we sought to commemorate. The Bible used was the one said 
to have been brought over by William Moody the emigrant. 
A historical address was given by J. L. Ewell. It is given as 
it was delivered, although portions of it are in the history. 

LOCAL HISTORICAL ADDRESS. — J. L. EWELL. 

The New York Observer used to be issued in two parts, one headed 
" religious " the other " secular," or, as the small boy said, the religious 
and the sacrilegious. Last Sunday I tried to trace Byfield's religious his- 
tory, taking for my two lines of thought the pastorate and the church. 
This morning I wish to follow a more secular line — but I hope not to 
be sacrilegious. Indeed should here and there a serious thread appear, 
some of you will remember hearing Brother Torrey say that whatever 
Mr. Ewell gave would be a sermon, and will, I am sure, bear with me. 
If any of you should repeat Mr. Cobb's famous question, " Where am 
I at?" I would answer — a few of you in this building are in the town 
of Newbury, and the rest in the town of Georgetown, but all in the 
parish of Byfield. Byfield is not a town, but a parish. It was not 
organized for civil purposes, but for religious purposes, when everybody 
was taxed for the support of the gospel. It comprises the adjacent 
corners of three towns, Newbury, Georgetown, and Rowley. If some 
one else should ask, "Why do we meet at this time?" I would reply, 
Because we know that on August n, 1702, O. S., the first meeting- 
house was already built and Mr. Hale the minister of the people ; and 
as old home week was so near to that date it seemed best to have 
the anniversary observed within that period. 

It is my pleasing duty this morning, in behalf of our dear old mother 
Byfield, to extend her heartiest welcome to all her returning sons and 



THE B /-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 275 

daughters and to all her guests. Two centuries of her organized life 
have passed, two centuries and a half since our fathers began to make 
their homes within her borders, but " Time writes no wrinkle on her 
brow." We have done what we could to make your coming home 
pleasant, but nature had prepared Byfield for our enjoyment to-day 
long ago. That noble drumlin Long Hill, with its fertile soil and mag- 
nificent outlook, is the gift to us of glacial times ; the kettle-holes in 
Mr. Herbert Witham's pasture bear silent witness to the swirling waters, 
and it may be the towering icebergs, which played their majestic drama 
where now peaceful cattle graze. The volcanic rocks about Dummer 
Academy — in Mr. Sears' opinion the most interesting geologic feature 
of Byfield — are a memorial of Titanic convulsions surpassing those of 
Mt. Pelee ; and the fair marshes along the Parker and Mill rivers, per- 
haps Byfield's loveliest natural feature, are the result of the ancient de- 
pression of those river valleys. And do not forget that legend has 
thrown her fascinating haze over Byfield, so that the Falls of the Parker 
at the Factory are not merely associated with the first woollen mill and 
the first cotton mill, and the first cut-nails of America, nor yet merely 
with our dusky Indian brethren who flocked thither to lay in their year's 
store of salmon, but also with that strange and fearful compact of earth's 
children with the father of evil which has figured in the fancy of all 
ages and races ; for 

At Quascycung [the witches] took 
The black man's godless sacrament 
And signed his dreadful book. 

The hills and valleys, the forests and pastures, the rocks and rivers, 
the uplands and marshes of Byfield, so ancient and so perennially beau- 
tiful, bid you renew the acquaintance of your childhood days. They 
are unchanged, but when we think of the people, of the eight or 
nine generations of our fathers that have dwelt here, how swift has 
been the procession and how the shadowy forms press about us. The 
palace of the old German empire at Goslar has a fresco commemorat- 
ing the founding of the new empire in 1870. The Emperor William 
and his contemporaries are in the foreground, but many generations 
are seen in a long vista to the rear, of those whose worth and beauty 
and valor make the German so proud of his fatherland. So here this 
morning, all the generations who have contributed their brief part 
toward making the history of Byfield worth commemorating, seem to 
fond memory to bid you welcome. 

In the dim rear of the shadowy throng methinks I see Richard 
Dummer, perhaps the richest man in the colony and a princely giver ; 



276 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

of great enterprise, also, as witness the mills of untold usefulness that 
marked his pathway whether in Roxbury or Newbury, and those 
Dutch vessels sailing up the Parker with their precious freight of do- 
mestic cattle, to supplant under his vigilant care the wolf and the bear. 
His magnanimity was even nobler than his enterprise and generosity, as 
was beautifully shown in his liberal gifts to relieve the embarrassment 
of Governor Winthrop, who had punished him for espousing the cause 
of Ann Hutchinson. Richard Dummer's mansion was on Fatherland 
Farm. 

Richard Thorlay, the bridge-builder, is another worthy of the first 
generation. I suppose that he lived just outside the parish line, but 
a goodly portion of his estate lay within our borders and we have had 
many of his descendants among our people. In 1654, he spanned 
the Parker with the bridge which has given its name to all subsequent 
ones on that spot. From that time until Oldtown Bridge was built in 
1758, that is, for a round century and more, the great highway from 
Boston to the east ran through Byfield and across Thorlay's bridge, or 
Thurlow's bridge as we call it, and so even from its infancy our parish 
felt the pulse-beats of the outer world. Winchester Cathedral has 
a beautiful statue of one of its ancient bishops, with a bridge in his 
hand to commemorate the fact that he was a bridge-builder. Richard 
Thorlay deserves canonization in that most honorable guild. 

On Rowley side there was John Pearson, at Glen Mills, builder of 
the first fulling-mill in America, in 1643, whose descendants owned 
the mill until the sixth generation, and have had mills on the sister 
stream of the Parker until the present day. 

Another Rowley pioneer was John Spofford, of that ancient lineage 
which figures in the ballad of 

Lord Percy's solemn feast, 
In Spofford's princely hall. 

After living in the village of Rowley thirty years, this vigorous Anglo- 
Saxon at the age of fifty-six struck out six miles into the wilderness, 
and made a settlement on Spofford's hill. His surroundings may be 
imagined, as Dr. Jeremiah Spofford suggested, from the vote of the 
town to pay fifty shillings a head for all the wolves caught in John 
Spofford's pen. Spofford's hill is within the original limits of Byfield. 
Let Richard Dummer, Richard Thorlay, John Pearson, and John Spof- 
ford, two Richards as it happens from Newbury, and two Johns from 
Rowley, be taken as representatives of our emigrant fathers, stout- 
hearted and strong-handed, fearing God and naught beside. They 
greet us this morning. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 277 

Those who laid the foundation of our church and parish seem a little 
nearer to us in the cloud of witnesses. Here I mark a very large and 
courtly gentleman of the old English type, who, though neither native nor 
resident of Byfield, deserves first mention — Colonel or Judge Byfield. 
Our infant parish was unanimously named for him at a meeting held in the 
new parsonage February 24, 1704. He was, says the ancient obituary, 
" the youngest of one-and-twenty children, and one of the sixteen that 
have sometimes followed their pious father to the place of public wor- 
ship." Picture the little Nathaniel trudging along at the rear of that 
unique procession — the speaker that was to be of our Massachusetts 
House, judge of probate, judge of common pleas for forty years, 
judge of the vice admiralty under commission from three successive 
British sovereigns — the generous and systematic giver, the man en- 
lightened beyond his age, who denounced the witchcraft mania, he of 
whom his pastor, Dr. Chauncey, said in his funeral sermon, " The 
Father of Spirits was pleased to form within him a soul much beyond 
the common size." We might profitably spend the half-hour allotted 
me upon the life-work and character of our parish godfather, Judge 
Byfield. We are thankful to bear his name, and feel honored to have 
among our summer residents one of his lineage and spirit. 

Along with him I discern another, from his great size called "the 
big man," and of a strength proportionate to his figure. He swam the 
Merrimac River near its mouth every year until he was past seventy, 
and had four children whose collective weight was twelve hundred 
pounds. He was a member of the legislature twenty years, and was 
every year elected by his fellow-members to the governor's council, but 
was every year rejected because, to quote an old record, he was " not 
supple " — that is, to the royal demands. His name appears on our 
first extant list of parish assessors — that for 17 17. He lived where 
Mr. Lacroix does. Let us bow to him — Col. Joseph Gerrish, stalwart 
in body, mind, and soul, heir and progenitor of a noble line. 

I will mention one more of that generation whose bearing indicates 
wealth, high birth, and official rank, — Lieut. -Gov. William Dummer, 
grandson of Richard, twice called to be acting-governor, once for six 
years, very judicious in his difficult position as the appointee of the 
Crown over colonists jealous of their rights — enterprising in war, but 
a lover of peace, generous everywhere and always, broad-minded, as 
is shown by his gift to the Hollis Street Church of Boston of a large 
and rich folio Bible on condition that it be read as a part of public 
worship on the Lord's Day. Our Puritan fathers, you know, con- 
demned the reading of the Scriptures in public worship without expo- 
sition, as akin to the use of a liturgy. It was twenty-seven years after 



278 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

Governor Dummer's gift that the reading of the Scriptures was intro- 
duced into our parent Newbury church. Governor Dummer really 
links together the pastorates of Mr. Hale and Mr. Parsons, and should 
be viewed in at least two pictures, both in the historic mansion house 
at Dummer Academy : the one when it was the political, military, and 
social centre of the life of the colony, and drew around its hospitable 
board the noblest men and fairest women of that aristocratic era ; and 
the second under the same roof in the Governor's advanced age, when he 
had retired from public life and gathered about him, to quote Hutchin- 
son's " History of Massachusetts," " men of sense, virtue, and religion." 
He died October 10, 1761, at the ripe age of eighty- four, and left his 
Byfield estate to found our academy — next to the church our surest 
title to lasting and honorable renown. Providence granted to Governor 
Dummer and his worthy and accomplished wife every earthly felicity 
save offspring, but the two thousand and more who have been trained to 
serve church and State in the institution that he founded have delighted 
to call themselves the "Sons of Dummer." Long may the academy 
flourish ; long may our beloved Master Home preside over it ; and may 
the present effort to augment its endowment by $100,000 be crowned 
with that full and speedy success which the cause so richly deserves. 

My friends, I am distressed at the speed with which we must move 
this morning. We do not even get a bird's-eye view, for the bird's eye 
takes in all in miniature, and we can but glance at here and there a 
person. My only comfort is that possibly you will do me the honor 
to let me speak to you at leisure in the history of Byfield which I am 
writing. 

Governor Dummer's death puts us in the middle of Mr. Parsons' 
ministry, or above one hundred and fifty years ago. Shall we look for 
a moment at the life of our fathers then? James Russell Lowell wrote 
in a sparkling review of the life of that great son of Byfield, Theophilus 
Parsons, " We would much rather know whether a man wore homespun 
a hundred years ago, than whether he was a descendant of Raraeses I." 
Our Byfield fathers of that generation did not wear homespun altogether, 
but many a sheep-skin, deer-skin, and moose-hide, and occasionally a 
beaver-skin, as appears from Reuben Parsons' precious account- book, 
which Mr. Morse owns. The smaller game was still abundant, and 
such an entry in the minister's diary as this meant something good for 
many a table : " 1761, Apr. 18, pidgeons plenty." Our torrent of maga- 
zines, newspapers, and new books was still unknown. It was not until 
October 2, 1758, that the Byfield pastor, although he was a man of 
affairs and of culture, seems to have begun to take a newspaper ; so 
there was room for thoughtful reading, most of all of that choicest 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 279 

•classic of all English literature — the Bible. The dear old parsonage, 
the centre of the life of the parish, was not a dull place ; it was the 
happy home of an educated country gentleman and his noble wife, who 
had a passion for literature, and it swarmed with children — ten, the 
standard number of that day, — and it was enlivened with singing-meet- 
ings, young people's parties, and spinning-bees. Choice souls of vari- 
ous views were welcomed beneath that most hospitable roof. Now the 
marvellous evangelist Whitefield was a guest, and now the " exceedingly 
liberal " Dr. Chauncey of Boston, and for a long period Judge Trow- 
bridge, " the oracle of the common law in New England," but a Tory, 
found refuge there ; but the host, Mr. Parsons, while thus broad in his 
friendships, was himself a patriot in politics, and as I showed last Sun- 
day, evangelical in religion. 

Notice a few of those who went forth from Byfield during Mr. Par- 
sons' pastorate. Samuel Tenney, born on the Tenney place, became 
surgeon, scientist, judge, and congressman. John Smith learned his 
academic lessons in the big chimney-corner by pine-knots in the house 
where Mr. Frank Hazen now lives. He was taken by Master Moody 
along the blazed path through the primeval forest up to Dartmouth's 
first commencement in 1771. The result was that he spent his life 
there as professor, winning laurels for the infant college and for himself 
by his splendid scholarship. Samuel Webber, born on the Caldwell 
place, became president of Harvard College. Eliphalet Pearson, born 
in the house where Mr. Albion Witham lives, near the station, was the 
first principal of Phillips Academy, Andover, Dr. Webber's colleague in 
the Harvard faculty, and his competitor for the presidency, and the first 
professor of Andover Theological Seminary. Theophilus Parsons, son 
of the minister, and born in the parsonage, was the leading author of 
the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, one of the most efficient in 
securing the adoption of the Federal Constitution by Massachusetts 
when the result trembled in the balance, and Chief- Justice and reformer 
of the judiciary of Massachusetts. I know how many great men have 
sprung from New England country parishes. I know the potency of 
those frugal, hard-working, intellectual, God-fearing communities, but 
I think few ever produced within twelve years five names to match 
Samuel Tenney the statesman, John Smith the scholar, Samuel Webber 
the Harvard president, Eliphalet Pearson the theologian, and Theoph- 
ilus Parsons the jurist, all of whom were baptized by Mr. Parsons between 
November 20, 1748 and January 20, 1760. 

Still nearer to us in the shadowy throng of Byfield's past generations 
are the people of Dr. Parish's day (1787-1825). Here also I would 
call your attention to some of the young men who went forth from By- 



280 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

field. John Searle Tenney, born on the Tenney place, where his uncle, 
Samuel, the congressman, had been before him, became Chief-Justice of 
Maine, and was eminent for the clearness and fairness of his decisions. 
He was a man of noble presence, whom I well remember. Parker 
Cleaveland, born in Warren Street, was Professor in Bowdoin College 
almost fifty-three years, member of sixteen scientific and literary soci- 
eties in Europe and America, praised by men like Goethe, Brewster, 
Davy, Berzelius, and Cuvier, and was vainly solicited to leave his be- 
loved Bowdoin by professorships offered him in Dartmouth, Princeton, 
and Harvard. He was a great man, with the heart of a little child 
toward his Heavenly Father, yet with an inborn timidity that no faith 
could allay. His terror at lightning was at once ludicrous and pitiful. 
When a friend expressed surprise that a scientific man like him should 
take refuge in a thunder shower on a feather bed upon an insulated 
bedstead in the cellar, he replied, " If you knew as much about elec- 
tricity as I do you would be as frightened as I am." 

Two others should be mentioned together, Paul Moody and John 
Dumraer. Edward Everett said of the former, "to the efforts of his 
self-taught mind the early prosperity of the great manufacturing estab- 
lishments in Waltham and Lowell was in no small degree owing." Paul 
Moody's coworker, John Dummer, finished his great water-wheels like 
cabinet work. Mr. Dummer returned in his old age to his native parish, 
and an impressive memory of my boyhood is his white head and bent, 
venerable form, which never failed to be at the head of his pew. He 
was a most interesting man. He never required his mechanics to work 
at night, nor would he ever take a cent of interest, believing it forbidden 
by the word of God. I would love to tarry with you on the story of 
men like these. Not one of them was a clergyman, but they were all 
men of conscience and public spirit, and, I trust, Christian faith. Paul 
Moody and John Dummer remind me of a sermon or address that I 
read with delight long ago, by our honored orator of the day, upon 
Bezaleel and Aholiab, who were filled with the spirit of God, not for 
any priestly service, but for mechanical and artistic work. 

You will all feel, but none of you so keenly as I do, how fragmentary 
is this sketch. Of Byfield's long and honorable roll of seventy-nine 
college graduates, for instance, I speak this morning of only seven ; but 
you would not forgive me were I to pass over in absolute silence those 
whom we may call the Byfield humorists, men like the Kents who put up 
the misleading lantern and the misled horse ; and Nathaniel Plummer, — 
Old Plummer, as he was called, — with his eel three miles long ; and David 
Jewett, the mention of whose name suggests Lull's ox, Dr. Cleaveland's 
hat and the three mince pies, and Uncle Rufus Wheeler in the thunder 




PROF. PARKER CLEAVELAND 
17S0-185S 




HON. WILLIAM DUMMER NORTHEND, LL.D. 
1823-1902 




HON. WILLIAM H. MOODV, 
Secretary U. S. Navy 

From a photograph. Copyright, 1902, by J.E. Purdy, 
Boston 



CHIEF-JUSTICE JOHN S. TENNEY 
1 793-1869 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 28 1 

shower. Uncle Rufus had occasional differences with his good wife, as 
Elia says should be the case among near relations, and he nicknamed 
her Jezebel. One day he attempted to climb over a stone wall and got 
one leg over, but was too tipsy to lift the other. Meanwhile a thunder 
shower burst upon him, but he sat astride the wall through it all yelling, 
"Thunder away, thunder away; this 'ill make Jezebel feel her sins." 

And now we notice yet more familiar faces in the multitude of those 
with whom the imagination fills this house, even those who lived here 
in the days of my boyhood before the war, when in my little nook of 
the parish we used tallow candles largely for light, and indulgent 
mothers gave their boys two to study their lessons by at night, and 
snuffers were in constant demand, and we conquered the bitter cold 
with peat that we dug from our own meadows. Good Mrs. Moses 
Howe, whose kindly, cheery face lives in my memory, cut and made 
our clothes, and as winter came on parents took their boys up to 
Thompson Bros, in Georgetown to buy ready-made long boots ; and 
there were no such minute variations of size as now. Mrs. Otis 
Thompson still lives and remembers Dr. Parish well. May goodness 
and mercy follow her evermore. Ice cream and oysters were, to the 
speaker at least, wondrous names and nothing more ; salt pork was the 
staple, though not exclusive meat, and pork and beans the invariable 
Sunday dinner ; when one killed a pig he sent choice bits around to 
his neighbors, and in cold weather the spareribs (speribswe called them) 
were hung up in the unfinished chamber to freeze, and so used fresh 
for some time. Family worship was common, to some extent even in 
families outside the church. Newburyport was our greatest ideal of 
city wealth and bustle — but that goodly old town by the sea " whose 
roads lead everywhere to all " afforded no mean introduction to the 
greater world. One boy after another — would that the girls might 
have had access to similar privileges — walked the six miles to the 
Academy and back (three miles each way), daily, and communed it 
might be with Milton and Virgil and Homer and Euclid under the 
instruction of that prince among teachers, Marshall Henshaw, and on 
the Lord's Day we all went to " meeting " where our good pastor 
introduced us to Moses and Paul and Him who said " If any man 
serve me him will the Father honor," and so 

An honored life, a peaceful end, 
And heaven to crown it all, 

were seen to be within the grasp of every youth, and many were not 
disobedient to the heavenly vision. It was an age of fraternity, 
equality, simplicity. 



252 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

In that Goslar fresco of which I spoke at the beginning the genera- 
tions that fill the air rejoice over the founding of a new German empire 
as promising something freer and purer and more progressive than the 
Fatherland had yet known ; so shall it be, with God's blessing, for By- 
field's new century. Certainly the old stock has not lost its vigor. 
Modesty suggests that I say nothing of those who guard the altar fires 
at home. I would rather cite in proof those of Byfield birth or descent 
whose home is elsewhere. For example we have with us to-day that 
native of Byfield who occupies a higher position in the national govern- 
ment than have any other of all her sons in all her generations, and all 
his past life gives the pledge that President Roosevelt will feel stronger 
for every good word and work because he has in his cabinet Sec. 
William H. Moody. May there ever rest upon him the mantle of his 
ancestor, Dea. William Moody, name dear to Byfield for two hundred 
years. 1 And we are thankful that Apphia Moody, daughter of John 
Moody, niece of Deacon William, and great-granddaughter of the 
first William, and whose home appears to have been where Mr. Nathan 
Johnson now lives in a beautiful spot just within the ancient limits of 
Byfield, became the wife of Samuel Hale, the great-great-grandfather 
of Edward Everett Hale, our distinguished, venerated, and beloved 
orator of the day and so made him heir to some of our best Byfield 
blood. 2 

If Byfield is to have a future worthy of its history, if it is to continue 
to send forth sons and daughters to bless the world, it can only be by 
adhering to that path of industry and frugality, of virtue and piety, 
made radiant by the steps of the fathers. It is not a town, but a parish ; 
it began in a religious, not a civil impulse. Of old this was the one 
centre of its life ; now for seventy years it has had two church centres : 
the Congregational mother, and the beloved Methodist daughter. May 
streams of living water ever issue from each sanctuary to keep pure 
and sweet and Christian the whole parish life, and to promote the 
welfare of man and the glory of God wherever the influence of Byfield 
shall extend unto the remotest century of time. 

The very great favor followed of an address by the Rev. E. 
E. Hale, D.D., the ever youthful and eloquent octogenarian 

1 We were greatly disappointed that in the address ; but the same investiga- 
Secretary Moody was detained off shore tions make it clear that after she became 
by a fog, and so could not be with us. Mrs. Hale she did live in the house now 

2 Subsequent investigations have occupied by Mr. Charles W. Adams, a 
made it doubtful whether Apphia little north of the parish line. 
Moody ever lived on the spot mentioned 



THE BI-CENTE NAVAL CELEBRATION. 283 

orator. His theme was, " The Eighteenth Century, and its 
Work in Religion and Politics." 

GENERAL HISTORICAL ADDRESS. REV. E. E HALE, D.D. 

It has long since been observed that Newbury, and Newburyport, 
and West Newbury, and Byfield form a sort of confederacy. It has 
also been observed that from this confederacy almost every person in 
the United States known to history has originally sprung. Whether it 
is a Noyes, a Moody, or a Coffin, or a Greenleaf, or a Lowell, or a 
Jackson, or a Perkins, or a Clark, or a Dane, or Rufus King, or John 
Quincy Adams, or Lloyd Garrison, or a Long, or a Story, or a Poor, a 
Sanders, an Osborn, a Shaw, a Raymond, as you run the genealogy 
back you come out at some one of the Newbury or Byfield families. 1 

This interesting feature in American history is illustrated by the 
presence here to-day of a fellow-citizen so humble as I. This is to 
say, I am one of the sixty or seventy million people, be the same more 
or less, whose ancestors have had something to do with the towns 
north and south of the Merrimac River. Indeed, I suppose, if we ex- 
tended our confederacy so as to take in the whole of Essex County, and 
if we could build one big pavilion here to include all our guests, we 
might safely invite all the people of those States which were colonized 
from New England to join us. Old Manasseh Cutler would lead the 
way with all the inhabitants of Ohio. Nathan Dane would appear 
with all the people of the northwestern States whom he saved from the 
curse of slavery. Pickerings and Lowells would appear in long pro- 
cession, to sit at our tables. And the hum of their united voices would 
rise in such a tempest of gratitude, that they all once lived in our 
beautiful valley, that no separate speaker need be selected to voice 
their congratulations. Our friend has laid before you so thoroughly 
the history of the separate organization of this parish, and the circum- 
stances which surrounded it, that I need not attempt a word on that 
interesting theme. It is clear enough that this is a By-field and not a 
by-product. It is worth our while, at the same time, to consider the 
remarkable circumstances of the time when the Church assumed its 
separate existence. Just as we watch the future of our new-born 

1 George Washington once passed Lady Dummer — about whom two offi- 

through Byfield, and Lafayette many cers killed each other in a duel in the 

times, and Louis Philippe. And there meadow yonder. And every one here 

is a ghost in Byfield, — not a scientific who will watch through the night at the 

ghost, to be explained away by reflec- pale moon in August, will see her the 

tion or refraction or the Becquerel Ray minute after he hears the clock strike 

or Rontgen Ray. No ! — it is a genuine midnight, 
old-fashioned ghost, a beautiful lady — 



284 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

century, so these forefathers of ours were looking down the future 
of the eighteenth century. As it proved, that century was to change 
the map of the world. The questions which excited and disturbed 
these Byfield men on this very day of their first organization, solved 
themselves in the course of the next hundred years. And when the 
century ended there was no fear of French invasions, no fear of Indian 
ravage, no danger of Jesuit intrigue, no questions as to the House of 
Stuart and the House of Orange fighting for the throne. At the end, 
democracy had asserted itself; and in our half of the world, men knew 
that our government rests on the consent of the governed. My subject 
is naturally, then, the eighteenth century and its work in religion and in 
politics. But I shall not weary you by attempting to present this sub- 
ject in its widest range. My illustrations shall be taken wholly from the 
work which Massachusetts men, and, in particular, Essex County, had 
to undertake in the solution of the great questions of that time. I am 
to say a word, first, of the share which Essex County took in the wars 
of the period, and then of the part which Massachusetts had to play ; 
and here I had rather speak of a man than a hundred years, and I will 
speak of Benjamin Franklin as representing Massachusetts. Then, of 
the work of Essex County in the making of constitutions and abolishing 
slavery. But we Essex County people believe in the nation, and our 
festivals are nothing unless we renew our allegiance to the nation. In 
those days of the beginning, when the infant nation uttered its first 
cry, the great leader of all, first in the hearts of his countrymen, never 
looked in vain to the Pickerings, and Cabots, and Lowells, and Par- 
sonses. Essex Junto indeed, men who had a country, and who meant 
that their children should have a country. In the midst of our glad 
memories of our village life, we renew our loyalty to the nation to 
which we gave the Pacific Ocean. No address on such an occasion is 
complete without due homage to Washington. 

Precisely as we say that the century just past is the most remark- 
able in history, — and say it with truth, — the men of 1702 said that 
the seventeenth century had been the most remarkable. Yet before 
them was the century of Franklin and Washington, — the century of 
the overthrow of the Bourbons in America and the birth of this em- 
pire, the French Revolution, and modern science. We may well give 
a few minutes, even of a crowded festival, to recalling the service 
which the eighteenth century, as it went by, rendered to humanity. 

For the special convenience of you and me, and other young people 
who do not like to be annoyed by charging our memories with dates, 
the birth of Byfield fits in with one of the few central dates which 
well-trained people have to remember. William the Third, King of 



THE BI-CENTENATAL CELEBRATION. 285 

England, had died on the Sth of March. This meant war with France, 

— and war was declared accordingly. Two days after his death the 
commission as governor of Massachusetts was given to Paul Dudley — 
whom the Massachusetts people hated, as a renegade to their interests, 

— a Boston man with monarchical principles. He had landed in 
Boston, had convened the General Court, — had quarrelled with them, 
and they had gone home in the months which had passed between the 
King's death and the dedication of our meeting-house. War with 
France meant invasion by the Jesuit-led savages of the North, and 
Governor Dudley was just starting on an expedition to Maine to study 
our defences. Nathaniel Byfield — our godfather — was one of the 
council who had consented to the building of a fort in Pemaquid. 
The General Court thereupon dropped him from the list of counsellors, 
and the next year it would seem that the governor retaliated on them 
by naming him Judge of the Admiralty on July 21 — a year after our 
dedication. The question with regard to Pemaquid was a question 
which had long existed and long continued to exist. The Court did 
not believe that the place was a fit one, and the governor did. More 
or less gossip on this important theme undoubtedly entertained the 
hours of the July day, when people were not listening to the sermon 
of dedication. War with France meant the beginning of a series of 
bitter conflicts, which ended when Wolfe was killed at Quebec, and 
Montcalm, as well, his heroic enemy. Three times between, England 
arrayed herself against France for long wars. In the sixty years, much 
more than half saw the two nations battling against each other. For 
our people here this meant the mustering of our boys for battle ; it 
meant the advance of our freedom ; it meant the death of Titcomb, 
our own captain ; it meant the eulogies which we passed upon him ; it 
meant the mustering of the fishermen and the seamen for an attack on 
Louisburg, and the success of our own Pepperell, in which the train- 
bands of New England took the strongest fortress in America. This 
meant that, as early as 1745, the people of New England knew that 
they could fight their own battles. 

I suppose that no man in the century was more angry than Louis XV. 
was when he heard that these fishermen in their cocked hats had assailed 
and taken his strongest fortress in America. He planned revenge. He 
sent out the largest fleet, in the next year, which had ever crossed the 
Atlantic. He threatened us in the Bay ; and we mustered our train- 
bands again to resist the army. It is there that Mr. Longfellow's 
noble ballad comes in. This time the bloom of Essex was not fighting 
Indians at Bloody Brook. It was encamped on Boston Common wait- 
ing to meet the regiments of Auvergne and Valois. Thomas Prince 



286 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

was offering prayer on the Fast Day, in the Old South Meeting-House 
in Boston ; and he said : 

" O Lord, we would not advise, 

But if in Thy Providence, 
A tempest should arise 

And drive the French fleet hence ; 
And scatter it far and wide, 

Or sink it in the sea, 
We should be satisfied 

And Thine the Glory be." 

And this was exactly what happened. 

For even as I spoke 

The answering tempest came. 

For half a century afterwards, men told how it shook the steeple of 
the Old South, and how the blinds rattled against the windows. It 
was a Mexican typhoon rushing down Massachusetts Bay. And I have 
seen men who told me that on a clear summer day, off Cape Sable, 
you can to this hour see the great ships of the line of D'Anville's 
French fleet as they lie fifty fathom deep beneath the water. 

O Lord, before thy path 
They vanished and ceased to be, 
When thou didst walk in wrath 
With thy chargers through the sea. 

Louisburg and the destruction of that fleet, taught the people of 
New England, that with the alliance of the God of Hosts, they were 
strong enough to defy any Xerxes from France, or to dispense with the 
help of any George of England. The century was not half over before 
the lesson was learned. 

I suppose that in teaching that lesson, Essex County can take a 
larger share than any region in America, although Pepperell came 
over from Kittery, just outside our lines. For the fleets of that day, 
whether they were the King's fleet or whether they were Puritan fisher- 
men, every spar had been cut in the forests watered by the Merrimac 
and the Piscataqua, and Essex train-bands were among those who led 
the way in the assaults at Louisburg and among those who cheered for 
Shirley and Pepperell and King George on that Fourth of July morning 
in 1745, when the Bourbon lilies faded, when the oriflamme trailed 
slowly down, and Louisburg was George's town. Are there perhaps 
here some Beverly or Salem men who remember Hale Street ? King 
Hale, who gave to it its name as Colonel Hale, was the gallant sub- 
ordinate of Pepperell as he commanded the Essex regiment in their 
attack on the Bourbon fortress. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 287 

Am I not speaking to some young man or some young woman who 
wants an unexplored field of history for study and to write out its 
history with a modern pen? Such a history is waiting to be written. 
It is the history of the New Hampshire forests ; of the valley of our 
Merrimac, beginning with that winter when Lord Bellomont urged the 
British minister to supply their dock-yards with our spars instead of 
bringing their masts from Norway. The history shall begin with that 
suggestion of Bellomont's and it shall come down to the days of Howe's 
battles and Rodney's, DeGrasse's and D'Estaing's in the war of the 
Revolution. For as those fleets met, yard-arm to yard-arm, every spar 
in the ships of America, of Spain, of France, and of England had been 
cut on our Merrimac-fed hills. I have myself seen an old woodman 
who had seen the broad arrow with which King George's foresters had 
marked our pine trees as trees reserved for his navy. Into that fasci- 
nating history we must not go to-day. I will only say in passing that 
there will be no chapter of it more brilliant than that which tells of the 
well-fought battles in which our "Protector" and "Oliver Cromwell" and 
the " Alliance " and the " Doris," Newbury-built ships of fame, built on 
our Merrimac shores, went out to defy King George. Such are our local 
contributions to the history of the battles which won our liberty. When 
the Revolution ended, Massachusetts had more men at sea and more 
guns fighting King George than King George and the English navy 
had at sea in battle against America. And when one speaks of Massa- 
chusetts thus, one means Essex County and the Essex County seamen. 

But there are greater triumphs than those of broadsides and inter- 
locked spars. And in these triumphs Massachusetts and the leaders 
of Massachusetts played no second part as the years went by between 
1702 and 1 80 1, between the laying of the corner-stone of the Byfield 
Meeting-House and the beginning of England's fifteen years' war with 
Consul and Emperor Napoleon. As that century passed, men saw 
democracy begin her march round the world ; they saw, though they 
did not know it, the fall forever of feudal or aristocratic government ; 
they saw the doom of absolute aristocracy, the reign of the people 
begin. So far as America was concerned, as I said, the dawn of that 
day was in the fall of Louisburg and in the vanishing of the fleet of 
D'Anville. 

There is no single life which, as it spans that era, teaches the lesson 
of the people's triumph so distinctly as the life of our Massachusetts 
Franklin, the son of the tallow-chandler, himself not unacquainted with 
the trimming of wicks and the melting of tallow. The boy who is 
trained, as the Massachusetts free school trains boys, comes to be a 
young man who knows how to use his hands that they may do the 



288 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

work of his active brain and of his steadfast soul. This man is a type 
of Massachusetts ; from the melting-pots of the tallow-chandler, he steps 
steadily forward on the line of promotion which a free State offers to 
every child of God. On the right hand, on the left hand, here and 
there he attracts to himself the companionship of those who wish to 
have the world move forward, and who dare ask the living God to help 
them in its advance. He is diligent in his business, and, as he says so 
well, because a man is diligent in his business he stands before kings. 
Face to face, he deals with the grandson and the successor of the Louis 
who sent his fleet to destroy Boston. Face to face he explains to this 
monarch how the freeman of America holds the balance in the politics 
of the world. And when the treaties are made by which King George 
abandons his empire, the name of the American tallow-chandler stands 
first and the name of the Bourbon king comes afterward. 

When the century began in the policies which lingered from mediaeval 
times, this ship from Guinea, or that tradesman from the West Indies, 
brings one and another negro slave to shiver in the winters of Massa- 
chusetts, and while the shadow of a throne still lies over Massachusetts 
and this free Essex County, there is one and another of these poor 
black men or black women living in so-called slavery and breathing 
these airs which should be sacred to freedom. But as a century passed, 
as, more and more distinctly, the divinity of man asserts itself, as we 
begin to see that men are sons of God and women his daughters, that 
we all partake of the divine nature when we will, these chains of slavery 
are broken, and such fetters fall away. 

It is interesting here to see that when in 1778 the first constitution 
of Massachusetts as an independent State was presented to the people, 
the people rejected it, under the lead of Essex County, chiefly because 
there was no bill of rights which should state once and forever, the 
divine prerogatives of free men. At the instance of your own Lowell, 
our neighbor there, a bill of rights was prefixed to the constitution of 
1780, — the charter under which we live and move and have our being 
to-day, which states squarely that all men are born free. Do not let 
us forget to-day that long before this, before the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, as early as 1773, when the royal governor still ordered our 
fasts and thanksgivings, John Lowell of Newburyport appears as counsel 
of a slave Caesar Hendrick, who sues his master in the Massachusetts 
courts, and that the young counsellor and his black client win their 
verdict. We ought to engrave upon the seal of our County Courts the 
broken links of a useless chain — sic semper tyrannis. We may take 
the motto from Virginia, and from Boston we may take hostibus primo 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 289 

Jugatis, here was the enemy first beaten. Whoever writes the history 
of those Lexingtons and Concords of human freedom must write the 
life of the young Newbury lawyer, John Lowell, the ancestor of the 
poet of freedom. 

He will have to weave in with his history the name and fame of 
Nathan Dane, to whom this country owes so much, with Manasseh 
Cutler that led from Essex County the flower of Essex and planted the 
cities from which have grown the magnificent history of Ohio. No 
settlement of the Northwest, said Nathan Dane and Cutler, who had 
the County of Essex behind them, unless involuntary slavery is for- 
bidden. The great God heard the words, and he said, " It is good," 
and the sacred soil at the will of such prophets of freedom was always 
assured for the liberty of men. 

One would like to go on, but that even a centennial day of July is not 
long enough for the history. One would like to speak of poets and 
philosophers, to tell the history of manufacture, of literature, of politics. 
One would like to tell of Thorndike, of Beverly, of Perkins, and the 
Jacksons. One would like to follow in the steps of our own Whittier 
and Garrison, and sing their songs and echo their protests. One would 
like to sit by the side of Parsons and hear him state first for Massa- 
chusetts the eternal principles of law. One would like to follow out 
the story of these Lowells, here building a city, or there summoning a 
Felix and Festus to repentance, or, in our own time, singing the songs 
of freedom. One would like, on shipboard with the Essex mariners, 
to open up the valley of the Columbia, claiming for the new world of 
liberty the western shores of the Continent. One would like to show 
how the merchantmen of Essex, carrying the light of commerce to 
Neutka Sound and to Alaska, crossed the narrow ocean to deal with 
mandarins and great moguls of China and of India. One would like to 
show who it was who first carried the stars and stripes around the world. 
One would like to repeat the words of wisdom of Pickering, and of Cabot, 
and of Choate, and a hundred more of our Essex statesmen. But no ! 
I said all when I began. The history of the century is a proud and 
noble history. And among these several organizations of mankind 
who played their part and played it well in the chapters of that history, 
Essex County stands among the foremost. Of the heroes of that history, 
whose name and fame thousands of years hence will be written in gold 
though all other men of that time be forgotten, the two leaders, the 
confessed leaders, are Franklin and Washington. Of Washington the 
fame has gone out over the world as a bridegroom rises from his cham- 
ber to go forth as a strong man to run a race ; he is remembered every- 
where. Nowhere was he loved or honored with a homage more loyal 

19 



290 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

or with faith more constant than here in Essex County, which built his 
fleet for him with one hand, while they established the foundations of 
liberty with the other. I need not say that when George Washington, 
the first President, wanted a Secretary of the Navy, he offered the 
position to an Essex County man, George Cabot. I need not say this, 
because the fit successor of George Washington has known how to follow 
that example of the beginning. 

I will relieve your attention and close this address, already too long, 
by reciting an American ballad not widely known, which supposes that 
some good genius on the night of the eleventh of February, 1732, when 
our eighteenth century was a generation old, sent out by signal fires the 
great news that the leader of that century was born ; that he lay in his 
cradle in Virginia, the central State of the thirteen. The glad news of 
that signal fire is supposed to shine upon us by Parker River, and then 
to be sung by the ripples of our majestic Merrimac. The ballad may 
be called 

THE VOICE OF THE POTOMAC TO THE MERRIMAC, 
FEBRUARY, 1732. 

I. Potomac Side. 

1. Three women keep watch of the midnight sky 

Where Potomac ripples below; 
They watch till the light in the window hard by 
The birth of the child shall show. 
Is it Peace ? is it Strife ? 
Is it Death ? is it Life ? 
The light in the window shall show. 
Weal or wo ! 
We shall know! 

2. The women have builded a Signal Pile 

For the Birthday's welcome Flame, 
That the light might shine for many a mile, 
To tell when the baby came ! 
And south and north, 
The word go forth, 

That the Boy is born 
On that Blessed morn ! 
The boy of deathless Fame. 

3. Two lights in the window ! the birth of the boy. 

The man of matchless worth. 

Send the glad message forth, 
East and west, south and north, 

That all the land shall know, 
Glad tidings to each, glad tidings of joy, 
For as every day shall pass away, 
Men shall bless the birth of the boy. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 29 1 

II. The Signal Fires. 

4. The watchmen have waited on Capitol Hill, 

And they light the signal flame; 
And at Baltimore Bay they waited till 

The welcome tidings came. 
And then across the starlit night, 
At the head of Elk the joyful light 

Told to the Quaker town the story 
Of new born life and coming glory, 

To Trenton Ferry and Brooklyn Height, 
They sent the signal clear and bright, 
To Kaatskill and Greylock the joyful flame, 
And everywhere the message came, 

As the signal flew the people knew 
That the man of men was born ! 

III. Merrimac Side. 

5. So it is they say that the men in the bay 

In Winter's ice and snow, 
See the welcome light on Wachusett Height, 
While the Merrimac rolls below. 

The cheery fire 

Rose higher and higher, 

To all the world to say 
That the boy had been born on that Winter's morn 

By Potomac far away, 

Whose great command 

Shall bless the land, 

Whom the land shall bless 

In joy and distress 

Forever and a day ! 

The morning exercises closed with the ancient benediction 
of " Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," by Dr. Hale. The noon 
hour was crowded with joyful personal greetings, in which many 
a gray-haired man or woman looked for a time intently upon 
the changed features of some one who was by and by recog- 
nized as the friend of childhood days. 

THE DINNER. 

At first in the committee meetings fifty had been mentioned 
as the probable limit of the guests at dinner, but the responses 
to the invitations occasioned frequent advances in the estimate. 
At length a great tent that would shelter one thousand people 
was hired, and caterer Tanner of Haverhill was guaranteed three 



292 THE STORY OF BY FIELD. 

hundred and twenty-five guests, at seventy-five cents a plate, 
but he actually furnished four hundred and twenty with a good 
dinner, and still he turned away many for whom he could not 
provide ; at another table those who preferred could buy a 
lunch; room was also provided for all who wished to eat their 
basket lunches, — all beneath the same canvas. The attend- 
ance was variously estimated at from one thousand to fifteen 
hundred. Probably the first figures were too low. The old 
parish never witnessed such a sight as the throng that pressed 
into that mammoth tent just below the vestry at the dinner hour. 
Master Home presided at the table and during the after-dinner 
speaking, with great felicity. He modestly remarked that he 
supposed he was called to the chair to keep up the ancient 
custom of blowing a horn to call the people together. He also 
spoke of our pride in the men' and women of former genera- 
tions in Byfield, whose devotion and pure living had made the 
celebration possible. The speakers in addition to the chairman 
were: Hon. W. D. Northend, of Salem; William Little, Presi- 
dent of the Old Newbury Historical Society; Mayor Brown, 
of Newburyport; Hon. C. O. Bailey, of Byfield ; Capt. (now 
Congressman) A. P. Gardner, of Hamilton; Hon. E. P. Shaw, 
of Newburyport; Pres. W. F. Slocum, of Colorado College; 
School Superintendent J. W. Perkins, of Salem; Mr. Joseph 
Kidder, of Manchester, N. H. ; Mrs. C. H. Dall, of Washing- 
ton, D. C; Mrs. C. S. Masury, of Danvers ; Mr. B. P. Mighill, 
of Rowley; Rev. C. S. Holton, of Newbury (Oldtown) ; and 
Rev. G. L. Gleason, of Haverhill. Mr. Northend was physi- 
cally so feeble that he was assisted to the platform. His words 
were touching : after paying a tribute to the distinguished sons 
of Byfield, he said, "But that for which we give the greatest 
thanks is the good, sturdy, loving fathers and mothers who 
labored so hard to educate their children. God bless old 
Byfield parish." Mr. Little said that Byfield had the first 
church in the State, if not in the land, that was entirely inde- 
pendent of the town government. He also said, " Byfield has 
lines of history along a hundred different ways of which it may 
well be proud, but of nothing more than the women who have 





*s 



REV. HERBERT E. LOMBARD NATHANIEL N. DUMMER 





MASTER PERLEY L. HORNE 



JUSTIN (). ROGERS 




THE PRESENT CONGREGATIONAL PARSONAGE- 
INTERIOR 
A Glimpse of the Loan Collection 




THE PRESENT PARSONAGE 
Photograph taken during Rev. Mr. Gleason's pastorate 



THE Br-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 293 

graced its hearthstones." Mayor Brown brought the good 
wishes of Newburyport, and remarked, " I think the finest de- 
velopment in the old order was reached in the character and 
influence of the clergy." Mr. Bailey emphasized the valor and 
patriotism of Byfield in the Revolution and the Civil War. 
Capt. Gardner, a descendant of the Dummers, suggested that 
our American stock springs from three unconquerable peasant- 
ries : the French, the Irish, and the English, and that all of 
them are now striving to see which shall make the greatest 
impress on the country. Mr. Shaw, who has himself done so 
much to develop our electric lines, referred to the great supe- 
riority of the trolley system over the means of communication 
when his father used to drive a stage-coach to Boston. Presi- 
dent Slocum inquired for the reason why this church had 
" really wrought itself into the history of the country," and he 
found the answer in the fact that such " churches were founded 
just like theocracies in the belief that God was supreme." 
Superintendent Perkins testified as a former resident to the 
church-going habits of the Byfield people, so that the congrega- 
tion was not nearly so much depleted by stormy weather as in 
most communities. Mr. Kidder had for some years been the 
oldest living pupil of Dummer Academy, having studied there in 
1834. His words revealed his gratitude for his connection with 
the school and his faith in its future. He gave pleasant reminis- 
cences of his coming, in his boyhood, sixty-eight years before, 
on foot, with a small bundle in his hand, from New Hampshire 
to Dummer, and told how he rested his weary feet as he neared 
the end of his journey upon the steps of the meeting-house. 
Ah ! his feet were soon to rest from their long journey through 
life on the threshold, we trust, of the Father's house on high. 
He and Mr. Northend, two of the speakers on that occasion, 
passed to their long home on the same day, October 29 — less 
than three months after the celebration. Mrs. Dall spoke of 
God's part in the making of Byfield, even from the time when he 
so " tenderly . . . folded down layer after layer of earth for our 
habitation." Mrs. Masury reminded us that while the men were 
winning so much fame, the women " were rearing the children 



294 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

and keeping the home." Mr. Mighill brought the greetings of 
the Rowley mother church. He hoped that the Byfield church, 
as it entered upon its third century, would be just coming to the 
joy of its life, its visions of God, its bloom and power. Rev. 
Mr. Holton brought the hearty godspeed of Byfield's other 
mother church, that of Newbury (Oldtown), and pointed out 
the dependence of our country for her safety upon the perpetua- 
tion of the Puritan ideals. Rev. Mr. Gleason, a former pastor, 
said that nowhere else in his experience had he found such a 
company of young men and young women as he found in Byfield, 
and he predicted that at the end of another two hundred years 
the church would be as strong as then. My limits have com- 
pelled me to give only a sentence or two from each speaker, but 
I hope that these very brief extracts may give some idea of the 
pertinence and power of the addresses, though not of their 
sparkle. J. L. Ewell was called out to say a closing word, and 
congratulated all who had had to do with it upon the eminent 
success of the celebration, which he attributed largely to the 
harmony and enthusiasm of the entire parish in the undertaking. 
He also expressed the hope that the joy of this reunion might be 
a foretaste of the deeper and unending joy of the great reunion 
beyond. The exercises closed with a most richly deserved vote 
of thanks to Mrs. Forbes, to whom the work had been so greatly 
indebted from its inception to its consummation. 

And then the great assembly broke up very reluctantly, but 
with a quickened appreciation and attachment for the old parish, 
and gratitude to Him from whom all blessings flow, and in many 
a heart with a deep sense of relief that the celebration which had 
been for so long the occasion of so much thought and anxiety 
was at last most happily ended. 

THE LOAN COLLECTION. 

A side feature of the celebration that drew crowds of visitors 
was the Loan Collection of articles of historical interest, occupy- 
ing both floors of the parsonage. Here were to be seen ancient 
samplers and quilts, old pewter and silverware, books, news- 
papers, documents, and pictures of the olden time, snowshoes, 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 2% 

and saddle-bags, warming pans, and foot-stoves, mementos of 
the Revolution, and even of the first settlement, and hundreds 
of objects difficult to classify. The picture in this book is, so 
far as I know, the only view that was taken of the collection. 
In the foreground are two chairs : the one in the centre was 
carried in her hand, it is said, by Anne Longfellow Adams to 
her new home, now the home of her descendant Mr. George W. 
Adams ; the one to the right, now owned by Mrs. J. O. Hale, has 
been in her family on the Jackman side for five generations ; its 
cushion was wrought by her grandmother, Mrs. Abigail (Mrs. 
Eben) Jackman. In the case to the left is a punch bowl, like- 
wise the property of Mrs. Hale, that belonged to her great- 
great-grandfather, Timothy Jackman, the revolutionary patriot. 
To the right in the case is a coffee-pot, which was a wedding 
present to Mary Hale Chandler, daughter of our first minister, 
and wife of Rev. Mr. Chandler of New Rowley, now Georgetown. 
Over the mantle are Parsons portraits and silhouettes. Beneath 
the large portrait are fire screens wrought by Mrs. Abigail 
Caldwell, and loaned by her son, Mr. S. N. Caldwell. The tall 
candlestick to the right, six feet high, bore a card which read, 
" Given on her wedding day, June 22, 1800, to my grandmother 
Mrs. Jn. Adams, by her grandmother Mrs. Joshua Coffin. It 
was then an heirloom. Mrs. D. A. Brown." The spectacles 
on the top of the candlestick, likewise exhibited by Mrs. 
Brown, were two hundred years old, and were once worn by 
Miss Betty Jacques. Nearly all the articles were owned in By- 
field, and gave a wonderful revelation of the antiquarian wealth 
of the parish. 

Yet one more feature of the celebration must not " in silence 
be forgot" — the hospitality of the Byfield homes: there were 
few that did not welcome some guests ; one entertained at 
supper on that Wednesday afternoon, forty-four. An open- 
handed generosity marked all the proceedings. For example, 
the price of the tickets was exactly that paid to the caterer, 
no percentage of profits being reserved to help pay the large 
general expenses. 



296 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

COMMITTEES. 

The following is an imperfect list of those who attended the 
meetings of preparation at the house of Mrs. Forbes. I copy 
it from my own minutes, in which after coming home I used 
to put down the names that I could recall. Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. 
Burnham, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ambrose, Mr. and Mrs. J. O. 
Hale, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Dummer, Mr. G. W. Adams, and Rev. 
Raymond Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Adams, Mrs. J. O. 
Rogers and Miss Emily Rogers, Mr. Tarbox, Mr. Calvin Pin- 
gree, Mr. W. H. Morse, Mr. S. T. Poor, Mr. Atherton Noyes 
and Miss M. McG. Noyes, Mrs. H. T. Pearson, Mr. Benjamin 
Pearson, Master Home, Mr. Wallace Adams, Rev. and Mrs. 
Torrey, Miss E. A. Hale, Mr. James Black, Mr. G. D. Tenney, 
Miss Burnham, Miss Chase, Mrs. E. S. Ewell, J. L., and A. W. 
Ewell. The list shows the beautiful democracy of the move- 
ment, in keeping with the character of the history of the parish, 
and also that all sections of the parish, and both of its churches 
were heartily interested. 

The list of the committees as finally made up is as follows : 

Executive Committee : Master Perley L. Home, Chairman, Rev. D. C. 

Torrey, Rev. J. L. Ewell, Dea. L. Adams, Messrs. W. H. Morse, 

N. N. Dummer, B. Pearson, G. W. Adams, Mrs. F. M. Ambrose, 

Mrs. J. N. Dummer, Mrs. H. Longfellow, Mrs. A. B. Forbes, Miss 

M. McG. Noyes, Miss E. A. Hale, Miss H. T. Moody, Miss S. A. 

Colman, Messrs. J. O. Rogers, C. O. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. L. O. 

Morrill, Messrs. G. D. Tenney, F. Ferguson, E. Pearson, C. 

Tarbox. 
Reception Committee: Mrs. W. I. Burnham, Chairman, Rev. D. C. 

Torrey, Miss M. McG. Noyes, Mrs. A. C. Poor, Messrs. J. N. 

Dummer, W. Adams, Mrs. P. L. Home, Mr. S. T. Poor, Mrs. M. 

Lacroix, Mrs. A. M. Bradstreet, Mrs. J. W. Holland, Mrs. F. M. 

Ambrose, Mrs. H. T. Pearson, Mrs. W. F. Hill, Mrs. B. Towne. 
Program Committee: Mr. J. N. Dummer, Chairman, Rev. D. C. 

Torrey, Mrs. A. B. Forbes, Mr. P. L. Home, Miss M. McG. 

Noyes. 
Loan Committee: Mr. W. H. Morse, Chairman, Mrs. A. B. Forbes, 

Dea. L. Adams, Mrs. L. Adams, Mrs. J. L. Ewell, Mrs. J. O. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 297 

Rogers, Messrs. G. W. Adams, S. T. Poor, G. W. Noyes, Mrs. C. 0. 

Bailey, Miss H. Tenney, Miss N. Rogers. 
Entertainment Committee ; Mr. A. Noyes, Chairman, Mr. B. Pearson, 

Mrs. J. N. Dummer, Mrs. J. O. Hale, Mrs. S. N. Caldwell. 
Finance Committee ; Mr. G. W. Adams, Chairman, Mr. C. O. Bailey, 

Miss E. A. Hale, Mr. W. Adams. 
Transportation Committee : Messrs. A. C. Poor, B. Pearson, E. R. 

Sanford, J. Black, M. Lacroix, W. F. Hill, R. Marshall. 
Marking Historic Places : Mr. S. T. Poor, Chairman, Messrs. W. H. 

Morse, G. W. Adams. 

Decoration Cojnmittee : The Helen Noyes Mission Band, Miss A. C. 
Horsch, Chairman. 

Music Committee : Dea. L. Adams, Chairman, Mr. B. Pearson, Miss 

C. L. Burnham, Mrs. B. Pearson. 
Invitation Committee : Mr. J. N. Dummer, Chairman, Mr. W. H. 

Morse, Dr. A. W. Ewell, Dea. L. Adams, Mrs. A. B. Forbes, 

Miss S. A. Chase. 
Ushers : Mr. F. M. Ambrose, Chief, Messrs. C. Sanborn, J. S. Rogers, 

H. Bailey, L. Tilton, W. S. Ewell, R. H. Ewell, G. Champney, 

W. Dummer, C. T. Knight, P. Capron, C. N. Pingree. 
General Committee : The above named, and Miss Susan Colman, 

Messrs. N. A. Thurston, Frank Ireland, L. R. Moody. 

The closing meeting of the committee was held on the eve- 
ning of August 12, at the house of Mrs. Forbes, where the cele- 
bration had been inaugurated almost two years before. The 
financial committee reported a surplus of $61.57 over expenses, 
and all were delighted with the success that had crowned their 
arduous labors. It was voted to continue the pleasant acquaint- 
ance fostered in the meetings, and to seek to promote an interest 
in the past and the future of the parish by the formation at an 
early day of a Byfield Historical Society. 

Thus our great celebration was brought to a fitting close. 
Fifty years from now, may our children, and our children's 
children have equal reason for gratitude, and manifest it in as 
successful a commemoration. 



298 



THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 



MRS. DALL'S LETTER. 

Mrs. C. H. Dall, the well-known author, contributed to the 
Springfield Republican of August 23 a letter upon Byfield and 
its celebration. The letter shows the impression made upon 
a worthy representative of the great outer world, and copious 
extracts from the letter will afford a fitting close to this chapter. 

It was on Sunday, July 27, that the great parish festival opened, by 
services in the Congregational Church, of which Rev. D. C. Torrey 
has been pastor for the last ten years. There was one beautiful and 
unusual thing about this service. It was intended to represent the 
people ; the two churches — the Methodist and the Congregational 

— united in it. The prayers and readings were recited in concert, 
and all present were invited to the Lord's Supper. The preacher in 
the morning was Rev. John Lowell, of Haverhill. He was doubtless 
chosen for his name, for, as a parish partly in Newbury, Byfield has a 
certain right to the ancestry of Lowell, as well as Longfellow. In the 
afternoon, the historical sermon, spanning the whole history of the 
church, was given by Rev. Dr. John L. Ewell, born in Byfield, and 
now one of the faculty of Howard University, at Washington. The 
services of this day were in a measure private. The Church was 
filled, but few people came from the neighboring towns. 

The great festival opened on Wednesday, July 30. The whole cere- 
monial was an exact copy of what might have been done two hundred 
years ago. Any repetition of it the newly arrived trolley will soon make 
impossible. The Byfield Academy, which has lately been restored, 
was the first high grammar-school formed in America, and in the early 
history of New England exercised great formative power. The names 
of Lowell, Longfellow, and Parsons are still heard here, and when 
Roosevelt gave the navy to Secretary Moody, — born near the old mill, 

— it did not astonish anybody. It was an honor Byfield might have 
expected ! 

On Wednesday morning the church was a delightful sight. Dr. 
Edward Everett Hale, a descendant of Byfield ancestry, came with his 
artist daughter, to be the guest of Mrs. A. B. Forbes. As I stood in 
front of the altar and saw the aisles and gallery crowded, it did my 
heart good. A church that could seat four hundred had at least six 
hundred within its walls, and men and women crowded to doors and 
windows on the outside. No fashion, no folly ; simple faces, reverent 
every one, and I felt lifted up to the level of the primal days. The 
opening hymn, "Oh, God, our help in ages past," was altered back to 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 299 

Watts's own words — instead of following the variations of the hymn- 
book. The Twenty-third Psalm and the Lord's Prayer were repeated 
in concert by people who did not need their Bibles. Then came the 
Scripture reading from a Bible more than two hundred years old — the 
Moody Bible, for it had belonged to the secretary's ancestors. Then 
Dr. Ewell gave the historical address, one of the most charming things 
I ever heard. It was not a repetition of Sunday's history of the 
church, but was wholly different. Some years ago Dr. Ewell had a 
stroke of paralysis, which has left distressing traces on his right eye, 
the mouth also being twisted out of shape ; but so did his Byfield 
soul conquer his body that his words rang clear and true, and we 
were full of delight. He did not remember his affliction, nor did 
we, and I only recall it now to do deserved honor to the spirit 
which rose so superior to the body ! Dr. Hale followed Dr. Ewell. 
The choir came from Newburyport, and as the choir of the church 
in which we were assembled, consisting almost entirely of one family 
— father and mother, brothers and sister — was well known to me, 
I missed its sweet melody. I asked the leader what had become 
of it. " We are two churches," he replied ; " we would not give the 
preference to either, and thought it better to ask aid from our neigh- 
bors." It seemed as if the church would never empty, but when 
I at last reached the steps I looked out on a green where at least 
fifteen hundred people had gathered. It was delightful to watch 
them. They rushed at each other to shake hands, and before the 
greeting was half over darted off to attempt the same thing some- 
where else. The granddaughter of the old minister, Dr. Elijah 
Parish, could hardly be persuaded to move. " I don't want to go," 
she said, " there are people here that I have not seen for forty 
years." 

The exercises in the church had ended at 12.15, an d the dinner in 
the tent could not be had till two o'clock, because so many more 
people had come together than were expected, and there was an an- 
nouncement in keeping with the brotherly love made evident in all the 
arrangements. The tent where the speaking occurred would accom- 
modate four hundred seats at seventy-five cents each, but as one looked 
through the crowd one saw that there were many who carried small 
baskets, and who evidently felt unable to pay that price, and then the 
announcement was made that those who had brought luncheon would 
find tables for their use inside the tent, where they could hear the 
speaking ! What was it at that moment that reminded us all of 
the multitude that once followed Jesus of Nazareth into the desert? 
The people could hardly stop talking to each other when two o'clock 



300 THE STORY OF BYFIELD. 

came. We had cold turkey, beef, and tongue, excellent bread and 
butter, and good coffee. The speakers were thirteen in number, or 
would have been if the fog had not kept Secretary Moody out in the 
bay. The others were the dignitaries of Essex County, — William 
Northend, of Salem ; the mayor of Newburyport ; Col. William Little, 
of Oldtown ; President Slocum, of the University of Colorado ; and 
Joseph Kidder, of Manchester, N. H., the oldest living graduate of 
Dummer, with the clergymen of the neighboring churches, who filled 
the platform. 

The presiding officer, addressed in the old-fashioned way as " Mr. 
Toastmaster," was Perley L. Home, of Dummer Academy. It is not 
too much to say that Master Home presided with a grace that re- 
minded us of Josiah Quincy. President Eliot of Harvard recom- 
mended him for the office when the effort to revive the academy took 
place. We are proud of him. No one spoke more than five minutes. 
Mr. Northend, Mr. Kidder, and Colonel Little were listened to with 
pathetic interest. I do not think Dr. Hale heard much of the speak- 
ing, for Moody Boynton tore him away to show him the old Hale house. 
As we scattered to our homes with thoughtful, smiling faces, the babies 
were being sung to sleep, and the fathers and mothers were sitting on 
their porches, hand in hand. No one in Byfield was ever more identified 
with the place, or more active in furthering its interests, than the late 
Rev. Daniel Parker Noyes, a grandson of the third minister, Rev. 
Elijah Parish. His oldest son still brings his children every summer to 
the old house, which stands on a hill just above the magnificent avenue 
of elms, planted by his great-grandfather, Lemuel Noyes. His young- 
est son, Prof. Atherton Noyes, had been one of the most active mem- 
bers of the committee which carried through the festival, and it occurred 
to his sister that many unknown kindred whom she could not address 
by name might be found in Oldtown, so she sent them a verbal invita- 
tion to the Noyes homestead, and made adequate and gracious pro- 
vision for the supper. We had hardly reached the house before the 
guests, young and old, light-hearted children with their parents, began 
to arrive, and forty-four guests were gathered, — a very good proof of 
the tender reverence felt for Mr. Noyes. 



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APPENDIX. 



Appendix. 



PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

i. Rev. Moses Hale, ordained November 17, 1706; died in office 
January 16, 1744. 

2. Rev. Moses Parsons, ordained June 20, 1744; died in office 
December 14, 1783. 

3. Rev. Elijah Parish, D.D., ordained December 20, 1787; died 
in office October 15, 1825. 

4. Rev. Isaac R. Barbour, installed December 20, 1827 ; dismissed 
May 1, 1833. 

5. Rev. Henry Durant, LL.D., ordained December 25, 1833; dis- 
missed March 31, 1849. 

6. Rev. Francis V. Tenney, installed March 7, 1850; dismissed 
April 22, 1857. 

7. Rev. Charles Brooks, ordained June 16, 1858 ; dismissed Novem- 
ber 11, 1863. 

8. Rev. James H. Childs, ordained October 7, 1875 ; dismissed 
December 22, 1880. 

9. Rev. George L. Gleason, installed September 20, 1882 ; dis- 
missed October 2, 1888. 

10. Rev. David C. Torrey, ordained June 1, 1892 ; dismissed May 
29, 1902. 

11. Rev. Herbert E. Lombard, installed December 11, 1902. 

PASTORS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

Rev. William French 1827 

Philo Bronson 1831 

Joseph Brown and Thomas W. Gile . . . . 1832 

Samuel W. Coggeshall !833 

Hezekiah Thatcher 1834-8 

Supplied by local preachers : 1838—46 

E. K. Colby, William Giddings (2 yrs.) 

In circuit with Newburyport 1846-52 

Rev. Mr. Bartlett ("Christian") 1852 



304 APPENDIX. 

John L. Trefren 1853—5 

Mr. Higgings 1855 

Bros. Mudge and Peaslee 1855-6 

O.S.Butler 1857-60 

Daniel Wait 186 1-3 

G. W. Green (a few months) 1863 

O. S. Butler 1863-6 

William D. Bridge 1866-7 

A. Moore 1867-8 

James F. Mears 1868-70 (?) 

Garrett Beekman 1870-3 

C. T. Johnson 1873-4 

Henry Matthews 1874-5 

E. A. Howard 1875—7 

W. A. Nottage 1877-8 

William Pentecost 1880-2 

Charles W. Melden 1882-4 

Ivins A. Mesler 1884-5 

Frederick B. Graves 1885-7 

H. G. Buckingham 1887-9 

Frank P. Harris 1889-90 

Joseph R. Wood 1890-2 

Francis H. Ellis (Apr.-Aug.) 1892 

H.E.Parker (Oct.) i892-(Apr.) 1893 

Henry A. Jones 1893-6 

W. J. Pomfret 1896-8 

P. P. Carroll 1898-1900 

W. W. Bowers 1 900-1 903 

A. B. Tyler 1903 

Note : Incumbency is from April to April, unless otherwise specified. 

I print this list as kindly given to me by Mrs. J. O. Rogers. The 
title " Rev." should probably be prefixed to most, if not all, but some 
of them may have been lay-preachers. 



DEACONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

William Moody, 1 706-1 730. 
John Cheney, 1 706 (?)-i 723(F). 
Daniel Jewett, 1723 (?)-i727(?). 
James Chute, ij2 , j( ?)-i'j6^. 
Samuel Moody, 1730(F)-! 763. 



APPENDIX. 305 

Joseph Searle, October 4, 1763. 

Benjamin Colman, October 4, 1763; January 24, 1797. 

Joseph Poor, December 22, 1790; February 28, 1795. 

Joseph Hale, December 22, 1790; December 25, 1818. 

James Chute, March 7, 1795 > April 28, 1825. 

Benjamin Colman, April 28, 1819 ; , 1827. 

Putnam Perley, June, 1824; June 30, 1835. 

Gorham P. Tenney, June, 1824; April, 1868. 

Daniel Hale, June, 1827 ; May 17, 1846. 

Daniel Noyes, July 30, 1835 ; April 7, 1868. 

Phineas C. Balch, January 25, 1845 ; January 24, 1880. 

Green Wildes, January 15, 1857 ; April 25, 1872. 

Caleb Tenney, January 17, 1861 ; November 5, 1886. 

Fred W. Blake, January, 1872 ; October 8, 1881. 

James M. Root, January 8, 1874; August 8, 1886. 

Joseph Wheelwright, December 20, 1883; September 17, 1893. 

John W. Perkins, November 5, 1886; December 13, 1896. 

James G. Fisher, December 20, 1889; December 21, 1890. 

Leonard Adams, January 8, 1895- 

Nahum A. Thurston, January 3, 1896 ; January 10, 1902. 

Perley L. Home, January 10, 1902- 

Joseph N. Dummer, January 7, 1903- 

The second date indicates sometimes the termination of the time 
in which the person held the office, and in other cases his death. 
Usually our deacons have remained in office until death or the in- 
firmities of age ended their term of service. 



SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY- 
SCHOOL. 

Daniel Noyes 1833 

Stephen Adams 1842 

Green Wildes 1843 

Daniel Noyes 1845 

Greenleaf Cheney 1849 

Winthrop Sargent 1853 

Caleb Tenney 1854 

George E. Noyes 1861 

John H. Caldwell 1862 

Leonard Adams 1864 

John H. Caldwell 1869 

Frederick W. Blake 1870 

20 



306 APPENDIX. 

James M. Root 1875 

Joseph N. Dummer 1883 

Frank Ireland 1900 

Joseph N. Dummer 1901 

Copied from the Newburyport Daily News, July 26, 1902. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE METHODIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 

Nahum Witham John G. Barnes 

Samuel Larkin William Dalton 

David Clifford Henry E. Pearson 

I am indebted for this list to the kindness of Mrs. J. O. Rogers, who 
has, I think, been a member, as pupil or teacher, of the Methodist 
Sunday-School from its beginning. Mr. Pearson has been superin- 
tendent since April 25, 1875. The Methodist Church used to be 
thought given to change, but here is a Methodist Sunday-School that 
has kept the same superintendent for twenty-eight years — a high trib- 
ute to his worth and their appreciation — and long may he continue to 
adorn the position. 



MASTERS OF DUMMER ACADEMY. 

Samuel Moody, A. M 1763— 

Isaac Smith, A. M 1790- 

Benjamin Allen, LL. D 1809- 

Abiel Abbot, D. D 1811- 

Samuel Adams, A. M 1819- 

Nehemiah Cleaveland, LL. D 1821- 

Phineas Nichols, Eng. Dept 1837— 

Frederick A. Adams, Ph. D 1840- 

Henry Durant, A. M., LL. D 1847- 

Ariel Parish Chute, A. M 1850- 

Marshall Henshaw, D. D. LL. D. . . . 1854- 

John S. Parsons, A. M 1861- 

Solon Albee, A. M 1863- 

Edwin L. Foster, A. M 1864- 

Levi Wentworth Stanton, A. M 1866- 

Ebenezer Greenleaf Parsons, A. M. . . . 1872- 

John Wright Perkins, A. M 1882- 

George B. Rogers, A. M 1894- 

Perley Leonard Home, A. M 1896- 



790 
809 
811 
819 
821 
840 
841 
846 

849 
853 

859 
862 

864 
865 
872 
882 
894 
896 



APPENDIX. 307 



HISTORIC SITES MARKED. 



Site of the first mill at Byfield Factory, 1636. First woollen mill and 
first cotton mill in America here, first cut-nails made here. 

First fulling mill in America, 1643. 

Thorla's bridge, built in 1654. 

Former parsonage, birthplace of Theophilus Parsons, 1703. 

Site where Benjamin Goodrich and his family were killed by the 
Indians, 1692. 

Site of original Longfellow house. 

Ancestral home of Moody family. Birthplace of Hon. William H. 
Moody. 

Home of Albert Pike. 

Home of Paul Pillsbury, the inventor. 

First ship-yard in Newbury, 1 700, on Parker River, back of home of 
Leonard Adams. 

Garrison house, built by Abraham Adams, 1705. Now, home of G. 
W. Adams. 

Site of first school-house, 17 16. 

Birthplace of Congressman Samuel Tenney, and of Judge John Searle 
Tenney. 

First Female Seminary in America. 

Oldest academy in America, 1763. (Dummer Academy.) 



LOAN HISTORICAL EXHIBITION. 

Largely taken from the Newburyport Daily News of Thursday, 
July 31, 1902. 

Cradle in which Hon. William H. Moody was rocked ; loaned by 
Mrs. Leonard Adams. 

A number of beautiful samplers ; loaned by Mrs. G. H. Dole. 

Various pieces of wearing apparel, woven and made by the women 
of several families in the first year of the parish ; loaned by Mrs. G. H. 
Dole, Miss N. P. Rogers, Miss Loraine Peabody, Mrs. A. B. Forbes, 
Mrs. A. S. Ambrose, Mrs. W. H. Morse, Miss Nancy Morrison. 

A baptismal shawl used by Deacon Benjamin Colman ; loaned by E. 
P. Searle. 

Old muff; loaned by Miss M. McG. Noyes. 

Cane made in Newbury, England, from a tree grown there ; loaned 
by Edwin Knight. 



308 APPENDIX. 

Old jewel case ■ loaned by E. P. Noyes. 

Bonnet or cap trunk, 70 or more years old ; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Quilt, hand spun in 181 2 ; loaned by Mrs. Frank M. Ambrose. 

A cabinet containing many articles of interest and value, mostly 
books and manuscripts ; loaned by E. Moody Boynton. 

Engravings of coronation of William III. and Mary II. in 1689; 
loaned by E. Moody Boynton. 

Spyglass, 10 1 years old; loaned by Mrs. Lewis Wells. 

Several specimens of pewter ware ; loaned by Mrs. Lewis Wells. 

Piece of paper used in papering the parlor of first parsonage in 1 731 ; 
loaned by Jane Noyes Pingree. 

Brocade slippers over 100 years old; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Box of tea from Boston tea party, December 18, 1773; loaned by 
Perley L. Home. 

A doll 74 years old; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Chair over 200 years old ; loaned from Highfields. 

Glasses over 200 years old ; loaned by Mrs. D. A. Brown. 

Tall candlestick called an heirloom in 1800; loaned by Mrs. D. A. 
Brown. 

The old Wheelwright sofa, 1790. 

Old corner stand, loaned by W. S. Morse. 

Leather breeches worn by Samuel Noyes in 1778; loaned by Jane 
Noyes Pingree. 

Cherry rum bottle, owned by the grandfather of Hon. William H. 
Moody ; loaned by S. N. Caldwell. 

A large collection from the Ewell family, including sampler, coat of 
arms, earthen tea-pot, books, brass kettle, pewter platter, lantern, fox 
and geese board, spoons, ancient lathing, and a set of peat tools. 

From Mrs. George H. Dole, besides the articles already mentioned, 
pillow-slips, stockings, bag, nine pins, mirror 200 years old, almanac 
date of 1795, an cient candlestick, a fluid lamp, shawl, two plates made 
in 1769. 

A desk given by Samuel Poor in 1 748 to his son ; loaned by S. T. 
Poor. 

Ancient chair, property of Deacon Joseph Poor; loaned by S. T. 
Poor. 

Copy of Netvburyport Herald, containing account of funeral of 
George Washington ; loaned by Mr. J. O. Rogers. 

Silver snuff-box that belonged to Mrs. Sarah Leverett Byfield, wife of 
Judge Byfield, exhibited by Miss Emily M. Morgan of Hartford, their 
descendant. 

A silver pipe and watch, 100 years old; loaned by Mrs. Wells. 



APPENDIX. 309 

A large number of ancient documents and books; loaned by Mr. 
Forbes, of the Fatherland Farm. 

Copy of Boston Gazette, 1744, containing an account of ordination 
of Rev. Moses Parsons as pastor of Byfield Congregational church. 

George W. Adams loaned a fine exhibit of ancient books, deeds, and 
other valuables. 

Original manuscript of poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, written 
when he was 10 years old; owned by Daniel Noyes. 

Tea chest that came over from England to Rowley in 1638. 

Nine glasses ; loaned by W. H. Morse. 

Old-fashioned caster ; loaned by George Roberts. 

Copper coffee-pot, 75 years old ; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Branding iron, over 200 years old ; loaned by Mrs. E. M. Boynton. 

Pewter platter, 16S4 ; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Bellows ; loaned by W. H. Morse. 

Toasting-iron, used 125 years ago; loaned by Mrs. Samuel Jewett. 

Large brass kettle ; loaned by Mrs. J. L. Ewell. 

A collection of the crude farming tools used in the olden time ; 
loaned by Oliver Pillsbury. 

Rotary pump, invented by Paul Pillsbury of Byfield in 1 700 ; loaned 
by Oliver Pillsbury. 

Dress over 200 years old, an old mantle 75 years old and a satin 
cloak 175 years old; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

A collection of pictures from the Highfields. 

Linen wheel and flax, 75 years old; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Portrait of Rev. Elijah Parish, D. D. ; loaned by Edward P. Noyes. 

Quilt 200 years old ; loaned by Mrs. H. M. Brickett. 

A large collection of pictures and portraits ; loaned by Mrs. C. O. 
Bailey. 

Relics of Revolutionary War ; loaned by C. J. Brown and others. 

Punch bowl and mug, very old ; loaned by Abbie M. (Pearson) 
Hale. 

Portraits of Governor and Lady Duramer from Dummer Academy, 
also portrait of Judge Byfield, from whom the parish was named. 

Shoe and knee buckles ; loaned by Mrs. H. T. Pearson. 

Portrait of Theophilus Parsons, Chief-Justice of Supreme Court in 
1790. 

Hammered copper dish and ladle ; loaned by Mrs. Benjamin Pearson. 

Old-fashioned table ; loaned by Mrs. Morse. 

A piece of wood from the " Constitution ; " loaned by W. H. Morse. 

Warming pan, known to be 200 years old ; loaned by S. T. Poor. 

Old pin fly broom ; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 



3IO APPENDIX. 

A drum that was used at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

Snowshoes used in 1695 ; loaned by E. M. Boynton. 

Old fire buckets dated 1780; loaned by Mrs. Forbes. 

Pewter platter that belonged to Priscilla Capen, daughter of the first 
minister of Topsfield, and bore her initials P. C. ; exhibited by her 
descendant Mrs. J. L. Ewell. 



MASTER MOODY'S RECOMMENDATION OF SAMUEL WEBBER. 

Newbury, 23 April, 1787. 

To the President of H. C. (That you may not be run down & 

quite out of Breath, I must pray 
dear Sir that you would peruse this 
formidable Length of Letter in 4 
Rev. Sir, Divisions and at 4 sessions.) 

My Friend's Genius, Learning, Integrity, Suavity of Temper, Facility 
of Manners, delicate Sense of Honor, Abhorrence of every Thing mean, 
sordid, mercenary ; noble Preference of Truth, Justice and his Friend 
to any little paltry self-interested Views and Considerations ; Assiduity 
in Office, Pleasure Patience and Promptitude in Teaching, and to say 
all accumulated Virtue of Head Heart & Life, (I might have added 
most amiable Modesty, which gives charm and lustre to all his other 
excellent qualities), are so distinguished that we can not help esteem- 
ing and loving him, and passionately wishing that his Connection with 
us might have been forever : But the Dearth of Money, Distress of 
Times, Paucity of Numbers, Lowness of Finances, &, I was tempted 
to say, Annihilation of Public & private Credit, have rendered it im- 
possible for us to make him Offers advantageous for him or honorable 
for ourselves, and he thinks himself obliged in Duty though with 
Reluctance to leave us. We can not help following him with our 
best wishes, a [and] beg Leave warmly to reccommend him to your 
Friendship and Patronage, & as you were never known to lose sight 
of Literary, Virtuous or benevolent Merit, I am quite sure you can not 
of him. His abilities, accomplishments, various and extensive Erudi- 
tion would enable him to figure high in the Professions, at the Head 
of an Academy, or in an University, & as there are like to be some 
Resignations at College which may give room for our Friend, we would 
be early in our application, & though it may be a situation the most 
obnoxious in the World to Insolence and Abuse, yet I think I could 
venture him, and I am confirmed in this Opinion from the Attention 



APPENDIX. 3 1 1 

which has been paid him here, for I do not recollect during his whole 
Residence in this Academy, the most distant Attempt or Inclination in 
a single Individual to treat him with the least Shadow of Contempt or 
Indignity, & my Pupils the best judges of Worth & most advanced in 
Age & improvements, always conduct towards him with the greatest 
Awe, Respect and Veneration. We think it highly congruous, Dear 
Sir, to inform you in what manner we have provided for the excellent 
Scholar & Instructor you furnished us with in our great Extremity and 
how we have rewarded his Fidelity. The Preceptor the first Period of 
his being with us, resigned as much of his Revenues as was judged 
meet by the Trustees, or was desired by any Body. The last Term he 
has by the same Noble Body been paid Ten Pounds Lawful Money 
per Month of the funds many years ago collected from the Munificent 
Friends of Letters by the Head of the Seminary, & so long in the 
Treasury of H. C, & some time since drawn out of the hands of the 
late Treasurer. This Stipend was paid him in orders upon the Col- 
lectors of Impost & Excise & Collectors of Taxes, which if the payment 
could have been punctual, & come any Thing near the nominal Sum, 
would have given him, we flatter ourselves, for the present Times, a 
pretty respectable & comfortable subsistence. In addition to this he 
has supplied a Number of vacant Parishes in the Vicinity, which has 
given him Something clearer. We could not on this Occasion forgive 
ourselves if we did not most cordially thank you Hon d Sir, for giving 
us on so pressing an Emergency so amiable a Pledge of your Affection 
so long, and-will yet hope in some more favorable a Conjuncture, you 
will return him with Interest, & that his Stay may be permanent & 
final. 

You will after this long Letter be pleased to permit me to say one 
Word for my good Friend Andrew, the Bearer, who will not be per- 
suaded that I can not help him in this sad Crisis of his Affairs. I 
once told you, Sir, that I thought he wanted none of your Help, & that 
I could not in Conscience ask it, but the dreadful Times are fast wast- 
ing his Patrimony, & without your generous interposition he must be 
in the Arrears a full year upon his leaving you, I can now honestly 
crave your aid, & that Forma Pauperis for the Waitership or any 
Favors you can bestow. 

I heartily rejoice that the Governors of the College have not yielded 
to the polite united Importunities of the first Class in petitioning for a 
private Commencement. Nothing I can perceive more pernicious to 
the best Interest of that Society. A public Commencement I conceive 
by far the most glorious Show in America, & when the Exhibitions are 
fine & well-conducted, reflect the greatest Lustre on the Officers of 



312 APPENDIX. 

the College, raise to the highest pitch the Ambition & Efforts of the 
Youth, carry the Applause of a large Assembly of brilliant, learned & 
respectable Spectators, spread the Fame of the University far and wide, 
and make large Accessions to the Numbers. 

I am not alone in my Opinion of my Friend Webber ; I speak the 
Sentiments of all, especially of Capt. Hales our next Neighbor, a very 
respectable Farmer & lately chosen into our Trusteeship, & of exact 
and accurate Discernment ; from a most intimate acquaintance he says 
that he never knew combined in one Person so rich an Assembly of 
great, amiable & excellent Qualities : & I can not help, before I leave 
so favorite a Subject, gratefully subjoining that his whole Deportment 
to the Master has been decent, respectful, officious & endearing ; & 
that he has been zealous to do every Thing in his Power to relieve him 
in his Labors, & would always, if he would have let him, taken upon 
him the heaviest Part of the Yoke, & his only Dispute has been to do 
all or most of the Service ; but I loved it too well and him to gratify 
him. But now Sir, to be quite impartial, & gain full credit to all that 
has been said, I frankly acknowledge my friend has his Foibles as well 
as his Excellencies. He is an Afternoon Man (I do not mean with 
respect to his School Attendance & Duties.) He is incident to Reverie 
and Brown Studies. I have often when his Classes in the Languages were 
around him, surprised him Absent and in another World, but never 
have catched him a wool gathering with his Mathematical Pupils ; here 
he is ever alive, awake & alert. But though Universal enough, Mathe- 
matics are, I think his peculiar Genius. They are a high Luxury to 
him. Here he (I had like to have said) revels & riots, wanton and 
unbounded. The good Soul is also scrupulously if not squeamishly 
nice with respect to his person and Dress. But I have gone far enough 
of all mercy. After respectful & affectionate Salutations to your good 
Lady & Family, not excepting to be sure the ingenious, sensible, polite 
& accomplished Mrs. Miller, I am much respected Rev d & very dear 
Sir, you most obedient humble Servant, 

Preceptor of Dummer Academy. 

P.S. My worthy Assistant has gone to spend some Time at his Father's 
at Hopkinton, where he finds an ever welcome Bed and Board, in 
studying Divinity & Sermon writing, & I have no doubt you will soon 
call him forth for service. 

I cannot forbear mentioning one more excellent Quality in my 
Friend, which I think will be very likely to ensure his good Fortune : 
he is truly philanthropic, a lover of Human Kind, especially is a 
genuine Friend & Admirer of the Ladies, treats them with great atten- 



APPENDIX. 313 

tion, & stands very high in their good Graces. Our respectable Trus- 
tees in this Quarter are very sensible to so much Merit and treat him 
accordingly. 



ADVERTISEMENT OF THE FEMALE SEMINARY. 

NEW ACADEMY — IN BYFIELD. 

An Academy will be opened in Byfield the second Wednesday of May 
next for the instruction of both sexes, in separate apartments under the 
care of an able Preceptor and Preceptress. 

In the Seminary will be taught Drawing, Painting, Embroidery, and 
all kinds of fine Needlework ; a correct and handsome mode of Read- 
ing, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, the Latin and Greek 
languages, and all the branches of science usually taught in the Acade- 
mies of New England. The building is large, the situation healthy and 
pleasant in the centre of the parish, near the elegant country seat of 
Ebenezer Parsons, Esqr. 

The most strict attention will be paid to the morals of the Pupils ; no 
pains will be spared, that they may be happy, and their progress in the 
arts and sciences such as will satisfy the expectations of their parents, 
and render them respectable in Society. A number of pupils besides 
those engaged may be admitted by applying to 

_ „ ( Agent of the 

Benjamin Colman j Proprietors . 
Byfield, April 7, 1897. *- v 



SOLDIERS FROM BYFIELD IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

I have compiled this list in the State House in part, and I have 
marked the records thus verified " S. H." I have also used Mr. 
Blodgette's list of Rowley soldiers, and Mr. Nelson's notices of George- 
town soldiers, both in Hurd's history of Essex County, and Mr. 
Currier's list of Newbury soldiers in his history of Newbury. It has 
in some cases been difficult to determine whether a soldier's home was 
in the Byfield part of his town, and I am much indebted, in deciding 
this question, to Mrs. G. P. Jewett, Mr. W. H. Morse, and Mr. Lyman 
Pearson. Natives of Byfield and residents of Byfield are included. 
The list varies in fulness of description according to my varying 
means of information. A resident of one town sometimes enlisted 
from another town, and was credited to it ; so a few in this list may be 
assigned to the wrong part of the parish. A few of those whose names 



3 14 APPENDIX. 

are recorded here, whom I never knew personally, may have lived out- 
side the parish lines, and on the other hand I may have omitted a few 
who lived within those lines. Undoubtedly the list is imperfect, but I 
submit it as my modest tribute to the men of Byfield who helped save 
the Union and destroy slavery. 

From the Rowley part of Byfield. 

Aubrey C. Nelson; enlisted twice; first in Co. A, ist Bat., Mass. 
Heavy Art., for 3 yrs., and second in Co. B, 2d Reg. Mass. Heavy Art., 
for 3 yrs. ; finally discharged Sept. 3, 1865. 

Moses Dole; enlisted twice; first in Co. A, ist Bat., Mass. Heavy 
Art., for 3 yrs. ; finally discharged Oct. 20, 1865. 

David O. Nelson ; father of Aubrey and David O., Jr. (shortly to be 
mentioned) ; enlisted in Co. K, 40th Reg. Mass. Inf., Sept. 3, 1862, 
for 3 yrs., being then 43 years old ; discharged June 16, 1865. 

Joseph B. Hale ; son of Daniel Hale ; 48th Reg., Co. B ; 9 months ; 
died July 16, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La.; corporal. 

Ezra Hale, Jr. ; son of Deacon Ezra ; enlisted twice ; first in Co. 
B, 48th Reg. Mass. Inf., 9 months ; which took part in the siege and 
capture of Port Hudson, La., and second in Co. A, ist Bat., Mass. 
Heavy Art.; 3 yrs.; discharged Oct. 20, 1865 ; corporal. 

Lewis H. Hale ; brother of the soldier last mentioned ; enlisted 
twice in the same companies as his brother, and discharged at the 
same time. 

Charles W. Rogers ; son of Eben P. Rogers ; enlisted in Co. A, 1 st 
Bat., Mass. Heavy Art., for 3 yrs. ; discharged at the end of the war. 

Thomas H. Risk ; son of William Risk ; enlisted and discharged as 
stated of Mr. Rogers ; corporal. 

David O. Nelson, Jr. ; enlisted for 3 yrs. ; at first in the same com- 
pany with his father, then transferred to the 24th Mass. Inf. ; 3 yrs. ; 
discharged Jan. 20, 1866, expiration of service ; corporal. 

Robert B. Risk ; older brother of Thomas H. (mentioned above) ; 
14th Bat. Mass. Light Art. ; enlisted for 3 yrs. ; discharged at the end 
of the war ; sergeant. 

John L. Ewell ; son of Samuel Ewell ; Co. F, 60th Mass. Inf. ; 100 
days ; discharged at expiration of service ; corporal. 

From the Georgetown part of Byfield. 

Charles Smith; enrolled Feb. 23, 1864; 19th Reg., Co. I; dis- 
charged July 21, 1865. 

John M. Wildes; enrolled Aug. 22, 1864; 1 yr. ; mustered out June 
17, 1865 ; name in State House, Wilde. s. h. 



APPENDIX. 3 1 5 

John Wildes; he and George T. Wildes (mentioned next) were sons 
of George Wildes and nephews of Deacon Green Wildes; enrolled 
July 26, 1861 ; age 19 ; 19th Reg., Co. C ; 3 yrs. ; died Nov. 5, 1862, 
Washington, D. C. ; chronic diarrhcea ; he was known in his boyhood 
as " Nucker," to distinguish him from John M. Wildes. S. h. 

George T. Wildes; brother of John; lieut. 15th N. H. ; died in 
the service ; a very worthy man. 

Lorenzo T. Jewett; son of Eben W., and grandson of Robert 
Jewett ; Co. A, 1st Mass. Heavy Art. ; " Died in Washington, D. C, of 
wounds at Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 25, 1864, aged 22 years" 
(tombstone record). "Lenny," as he was called, was my next door 
neighbor and playmate in our childhood. His father was then super- 
intendent of the Georgetown Almshouse. 

James S. Fletcher; 19th Reg., Co. C; age 27; for 3 yrs.; mar- 
ried; enrolled July 26, 1861 ; transferred to 6th V. R. C. Feb. 11, 
1864 ; mustered out Aug. 31, 1864. s - H - 

John Hagan. 
John Ogden. 

George Bowen (Bourne ?). 

Benjamin M. Farnham; Co. D, 14th Mass. Heav. Art. 

Edwin Vance ; 33d Reg., Co. D ; age 24 ; for 3 yrs. ; enrolled July 

19, 1862 ; died Nov. 5, 1862, Fairfax C. H., Va. S. H. 

Harlan P. Floyd; enrolled June 23, 1864; age 23. s. h. 

Edward P. Wildes; 50th Reg., Co. K; age 30; married; enrolled 

Aug. 16, 1862; mustered out Aug. 24, 1863; sergeant; re-enlisted 

17th unattached Co.; 1 yr. ; Aug. 5, 1864; mustered out Nov. 12, 

1864; 2d lieut. S,H * 

James B. Wildes ; enlisted twice ; first as musician in the 20th Mass., 

and second in Co. K, of the 50th Mass. 

Caleb P. Tenney ; son of Deacon Caleb Tenney; "Died July 22, 
1864, aged 30 years and 6 months, of disease contracted while in the 
service of his country as acting 3d assistant engineer, U. S. N." (tomb- 
stone record). 

Joseph S. Moody ; son of Luther Moody ; enlisted in Ohio to repel 

rebel raid. 

Otis L. Andrews. 

George Andrews. 

Daniel Pearson; 19th Reg., Co. C; age n; married; enlisted 
July 30, 1861 ; 3 years; mustered out Aug. 28, 1864; corporal; sick 

S H 

when discharged. * * 

Otis Pearson; 19th Reg., Co. A; age 31 ; married; enlisted Aug. 

12, 1862 ; 3 yrs. ; discharged June 30, 1865. s. h. 



316 APPENDIX. 

Nathaniel Rogers. 

Allen Rogers ; son of Nathaniel Rogers. 

Ariel Peabody ; son of James Peabody ; Co. H, 2 U. S. Sharp- 
shooters ; in nearly thirty engagements ; six months a prisoner, two of 
them at Andersonville. 

John G. Barnes; capt. Co. K, 50th Reg.; afterward capt. 17th Co. 
unattached infantry. 

Wallace T. Larkin ; 15 th N. H., Co. K ; age 32 ; enlisted Aug. 30, 
1862, as private ; 2d lieut. Nov. 3, 1862 ; capt. U. S. C. T. ; discharged 
Aug. 10, 1867 ; brvt. maj. U. S. V., "for faithful and meritorious ser- 
vices during the war." s. H. 

Augustus J. Cheney ; son of Moody Cheney ; capt. 40th Wis., then 
capt. 49th Wis. ; bvt. maj. for meritorious services. 

Thomas R. Larkin ; 17th unattached Co. ; age 34 ; single; enlisted 
July 18, 1864 ; 100 days, then for 1 yr. ; mustered out June 30, 1865. 

s. H. 

William F. Larkin ; 1 7th unattached Co. ; 1 yr.; single ; enlisted 
Nov. 13, 1864; discharged June 30, 1865. S. H. 

Charles O. Larkin. 

Gustavus Brown ; terribly wounded in throat. 

John A. Cheney, George Cheney, John Hull, Frank Winter ; 
these four were from the old Lull house, in which Benjamin Goodrich 
was killed in 1692; the first of the four was wounded; the other 
three killed in action ; all were members of the 19th regiment ; the two 
first-named were brothers. 

Daniel Kimball; 19th Reg. 

Daniel James ; drafted. 

James A. Kent. 

Albert Kent ; son of James A. Kent ; killed at Gettysburg. 

Samuel Rogers. 

Moses Earle. 

Daniel Chesley; 59th Reg., Co. E; age 24; single; enlisted 
Jan. 30, 1864, for 3 years. s. h. 

William E. Day; drafted; 16th Reg., Co. H; age 34; mar- 
ried; enlisted, July 10, 1863, for 3 yrs. ; wounded Nov. 27, 1863; 
transferred to nth Mass. Bat. July n, 1864. s. h. 

George Dalton. 

Harrison Jewett. 

Samuel Downer. 

Alexander Spinney ; substitute ; nth Reg., Co. C ; age 29 ; single ; 
enlisted Aug. 13, 1863, 3 yrs.; died Sept. 18, 1864, in hospital, New 
York Harbor. 



APPENDIX. 317 

Alonzo B. Stevens ; born in Byfield ; enlisted from Lowell. 

John C. Hardy; 19th Reg., Co. C; 3 yrs.; enlisted July 26, 
i86i;age26; married; discharged for disability Dec. 31, 1862. s. H. 

Luther S. Wildes; 38th Reg., Co. I; age 25; married; en- 
listed Aug. 7, 1862 ; discharged for disability Feb. 7, 1863. s. h. 

Eben J. Wildes; 17th unattached Co. ; age 20; enlisted July 18, 
1864; mustered out Nov. 12, 1864. Edw. P., James B., and Eben 
J. Wildes were brothers, sons of Deacon Green Wildes. 

William Gammage; 19th Reg., Co. C; age 43; married; enlisted 
July 26, 1861 ; 3 yrs.; discharged Jan. 23, 1862, for disability. s. 11. 

W. S. Simonds ; enlisted from Boston ; 4 1 st Reg. 

Samuel Furbush. 

Daniel Boardman, John Wells, Asa Andrews ; these names should 
probably be added to this list. They had lived for years in the house 
next to Mr. S. T. Poor's, on the Byfield side, and probably were still 
living there when they volunteered. 

From the Newbury part of Byfield. 

Nathan Longfellow ; son of Samuel Longfellow ; enlisted or mus- 
tered for 3 yrs., May 25, 1861 ; 2d Reg.; discharged May 28, 
1864. 

George Ff. Northend; enlisted and mustered July 5, 1861, 3 
yrs.; re-enlisted Nov. 5, 1863, 14th Reg.; Mr. Northend was born 
June 15, 1839, an d was killed in battle before Richmond June n, 
1864 ; he was the son of Samuel Northend, the grandson of John 
Northend, and the nephew of Hon. William D. Northend. 

Benjamin P. Rogers; 17th Reg., Co. A; 3 yrs.; enlisted May 10, 
1861 ; re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864; age 18; discharged July n, 1865. 

s. H. 

Mr. Rogers is said to have run away from home, and to have 
stretched his age in order to enlist. G. H. Northend is said to have 
been the first to volunteer from Newbury, and B. P. Rogers the second, 
both from Byfield. 

Samuel C. Jellison; enlisted or mustered July 28, 1861, 3 yrs.; 
19th Reg. ; age 18 ; killed at Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862. 

Benjamin H. Jellison; enlisted and mustered July 26, 1861, 3 
yrs.; 19th Reg., Co. C; age 17; re-enlisted Dec. 21, 1863; wounded 
June 25, 1862; again wounded June 3, 1864; captured flag from 
enemy in battle ; received medal from Congress for distinguished gal- 
lantry; discharged June 30, 1865; sergeant, promoted to 2d lieut. 
June 1, 1865. s. h. 



318 APPENDIX. 

Nathan Jellison. These three Jellisons were brothers, and their 
home was a very small house just below Mr. Lacroix's, on the west side 
of the road. 

William E. Northend ; 3 yrs. ; 1 9th Reg. ; enlisted or mustered 
July 28, 1861 ; transferred to V. R. C. Sept. 26, 1863; brother of 
George H. Northend. 

Albert Rogers; 3 yrs.; 19th Reg.; enlisted or mustered July 28, 
1 86 1 ; transferred to V. R. C. 

Elijah P. Rogers; 3 yrs.; 19th Reg. ; enlisted or mustered Aug. 
21, 1861 ; discharged June 15, 1865 ; captain. 

Eben Rogers; 3 yrs.; 33d Reg.; enlisted or mustered Aug. 7, 
1862; discharged June 11, 1865; sergeant. 

Enoch S. Rogers ; 9 months ; 48th Reg. ; enlisted or mustered 
Sept. 24, 1862 ; discharged Sept. 3, 1863 ; sergeant. 

Charles W. Rundlett; 9 months; 50th Reg., Co. K; age 28; 
married; enlisted Aug. 18, 1862; discharged Aug. 24, 1863; 
corporal. s. h. 

Lyman Floyd ; 9 months ; 50th Reg. ; enlisted or mustered Sept. 
19, 1862 ; discharged from service, and died at Baton Rouge, La., 
May 29, 1863. 

Charles E. Tenney ; 9 months ; 50th Reg., Co. K ; age 23 ; single ; 
mustered out Aug. 24, 1863 ; wagoner. s.H. 

John G. Tenney; 9 months; 50th Reg., Co. K; age 18; single; 
enlisted Aug. 18, 1862; discharged Aug. 24, 1863. s. h. 

William P. Bailey ; 9 months ; 50th Reg., Co. K ; enlisted Aug. 
18, 1862 ; finally discharged June 30, 1865 ; corporal. s.h. 

Mr. Bailey volunteered on the forlorn hope at Port Hudson, but 
happily his services were not required. The senator is his son. 

Charles E. Rogers; 100 days; 17th unattached Co.; enlisted or 
mustered Aug. 5, 1864; discharged Nov. 12, 1864; corporal. 

Orin T. Pearson; 100 days; 17th unattached Co.; enlisted or 
mustered Aug. 5, 1864; discharged Nov. 12, 1864. 

Charles H. Woodman; 100 days; 17th unattached Co.; enlisted 
or mustered Aug. 5, 1864; discharged Nov. 12, 1864. 

William Woodman; 100 days; enlisted or mustered Aug. 5, 1864; 
discharged Nov. 12, 1864. 

Daniel D. Bailey; i yr. ; 17th unattached Co.; enlisted or mus- 
tered Nov. 13, 1864; discharged June 30, 1865. 

Charles A. Newton ; 1 yr. ; 1 7th unattached Co. ; enlisted or 
mustered Nov. 13, 1864; discharged June 30, 1865. 

Moses T. Pearson; i yr. ; 17th unattached Co.; enlisted or mus- 
tered Nov. 13, 1864; discharged June 30, 1865. 



APPENDIX. 319 

George E. Noyes; 3 yrs. ; 14th Bat.; enlisted or mustered Feb. 
27, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865 ; corporal; Mr. Noyes was a son 
of Deacon Daniel Noyes. 

Eben P. Davis ; 1 yr. ; 4th H. Art. ; enlisted or mustered Aug. 20, 
1864; discharged June 16, 1865; sergeant. 

John M. Horsch ; 1 yr. ; 4th H. Art. ; enlisted or mustered Aug. 
20, 1864; discharged June 17, 1865. 

Horace S. Woodman; 3 yrs. ; 59th Reg.; enlisted or mustered 
Mar. 3, 1864; discharged July 30, 1865. 

Charles Caldwell; one of a company from Dartmouth College 
who went in a Rhode Island resriment. 



COLLEGE GRADUATES FROM BYFIELD. 
Those only residents and not natives, as far as known, are marked R. 

Rev. Shubael Dummer, Harvard, 1656. 

Rev. Joseph Gerrish, Harvard, 1669. 

Rev. John Moody, Harvard, 1727. 

Rev. Moses Hale, Harvard, 1 734. 

Rev. Benjamin Adams, Harvard, 1738. 

Rev. Joseph Adams, Harvard, 1742. 

Stephen Longfellow, Harvard, 1742. Teacher in Maine, and great- 
grandfather of Henry W. Longfellow, the poet. 

Nathaniel Dummer, Harvard, 1745. 

Joseph Pearson, Harvard, 1758. 

Moses Gerrish, Harvard, 1762. 

Rev. Jonathan Searle, Harvard, 1764. 

Dudley Colman, Harvard, 1765. 

Rev. Jonathan Searle, Harvard, 1765. 

Rev. Joseph Woodman, Nassau, 1 766. 

Rev. Obadiah Parsons, Harvard, 1768. 

Hon. Theophilus Parsons, LL.D., Harvard, 1769. Chief-Justice 
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. 

Thomas Colman, Harvard, 1770. 

John Noyes, Harvard, 1771. 

Samuel Wheeler, Harvard, 1771. 

Samuel Smith, Harvard, 1772. 

Hon. Samuel Tenney, Harvard, 1772. 

Theodore Parsons, Harvard, 1773. 

Eliphalet Pearson, LL.D., Harvard, 1773. 

John Smith, D.D., Dartmouth, 1773. 



320 APPENDIX. 

Rev. Benjamin Thurston, Harvard, 1774. 

Dr. Abiel Pearson, Dartmouth, 1779. 

Samuel Colman, Harvard, 1780. 

Capt. Edward Longfellow, Dartmouth, 1780. 

Rev. Samuel Webber, D.D., Harvard, 1784. President of Harvard, 
1804-1810. 

Samuel Moody, Dartmouth, 1790. 

Silas Stickney, Dartmouth, 1791. 

John Webber, Dartmouth, 1792. 

Nathan Moody, Dartmouth, 1795. 

Joseph Gerrish, Dartmouth, 1797. 

Parker Cleaveland, LL.D., Harvard, 1 799. 

John Pike, Dartmouth, 1803. 

Jeremiah Perley, Dartmouth, 1803. Lawyer in Orono, Maine. 

Rev. Charles Wheeler, Brown, 1807. 

Daniel Chute, Dartmouth, 18 10. 

Moses Smith, Williams, 181 1. 

Rev. Thomas Colman Searle, Dartmouth, 181 2. 

Rev. James Chute, Dartmouth, 1813. 

Rev. Joseph Searle, Dartmouth, 181 5. 

Alfred Washington Pike, Dartmouth, 1815. 

Hon. John Searle Tenney, LL.D., Bowdoin, 18 16. Chief-Justice 
Supreme Court of Maine. 

Rev. John Payne Cleaveland, D.D., Bowdoin, 1821. 

Moses Colman Searle, Princeton, 1821. 

Moses Parsons Parish, Bowdoin, 1822. 

Rev. Moses Parsons Stickney, Amherst, 1830. 

Luther Emerson, Amherst, 1831. 

Rev. Ariel Parish Chute, Yale, 1834. Tutor Yale; Professor math- 
ematics and natural philosophy, Western Reserve. 

Rev. George Thurlow Dole, Yale, 1834. 

Rev. Daniel Parker Noyes, Yale, 1840. 

Benjamin Pearson Chute, Bowdoin, 1840. 

Hon. William Dummer Northend, LL.D., Bowdoin, 1843. Presi- 
dent of Essex Bar Assoc; author of "The Bay Colony," and various 
historical and political addresses. 

Thomas S. Searle, Hamilton, 1844. 

Joseph Manning Cleaveland, M. D., Princeton, 1846. 

George Nehemiah Cleaveland, Yale, 1847. 

Martin Nelson Root, M.D., Amherst, 1849. 

Thomas Parsons Sargent, Dartmouth, 1852. 

Rev. John Haskell Sargent, Dartmouth, 1852. 



APPENDIX. 321 

Augustus Jackman Cheney, Dartmouth, 1857, C. S. D. 

David Augustine Caldwell, Dartmouth, i860. 

James Henry Foss, Brown, 1863. R. 

Charles Caldwell, M.D., Dartmouth, 1864. 

Edward Dummer, Yale, 1865. R. 

John Louis Ewell, Yale, 1865. 

Henry O. Hill, Union, 1873. 

Hon. William Henry Moody, Harvard, 1876. Secretary United 
States Navy. 

George Noyes Whipple, Amherst, 1876. 

Edward Parish Noyes, Yale, 18S0. R. 

Atherton Noyes, Yale, 1885. R. 

Chauncey Gleason, Dartmouth, 1888. R. 

Arthur Woolsey Ewell, Yale, 1897. R. 

John Louis Ewell, Jr., Yale, 1897. R. 

Frederick Winthrop Perkins, Dartmouth, 1898. R. 

William Stickney Ewell, Yale, 1901. R. 

Moses Perkins, Dartmouth, 1902. 

Robert Hall Ewell, Yale, 1903. R. 

I am greatly indebted to Mr. Northend and Mr. Little in the com- 
piling of this list. Most of those marked R come of old Byfield 
stock. 



SPINNING-BEE. 

We hear from Byfield, in the county of Essex, that on the Day of 
the last public Commencement at Cambridge, 25 young Women be- 
longing to the Place, met at the Minister's House with their Spinning 
Wheels, and gave evident Proof of their Skill and Dexterity in manag- 
ing of them ; by carding and spinning more than 20 double Skeins of 
Cotton Yarn, and spinning 60 double Skeins of Linen, each Skein con- 
taining 14 Knots, 40 Threads, 2 Yards long to a Knot. . . . One young 
Woman spun more than 6 double Skeins of Linen. . . . Another 
carded and spun 3 double Skeins of Cotton, and then spun one double 
Skein of Linen. They all generously gave their Work ; and by their 
ingenious diligent conducting the Business of the Day, appeared well 
qualified to claim the Honor of being acknowledged Mispresses of their 
Art. 

Essex Gazette, Aug. 23, 1768. 
Re-published in the Essex Antiquarian, March, 1897. 



322 



APPENDIX. 



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APPENDIX. 



AN AFTER WORD. 



323 



There are various items which I have neglected to put down in the 
proper place, and there are several thoughts that I have not expressed 
in the body of the book which I do not wish to leave unuttered, and so 
I put a few of these facts and thoughts into this final section of the 
Appendix. 

The value of the shilling in popular reckoning fluctuated until after 
the Revolution, so that when I have attempted to give the equivalent in 
dollars and cents in the earlier chapters, the calculation is only 
approximate. 

Different dates are given in some of the chapters for the time of 
composition. This is because every chapter has been revised once or 
twice, and in some instances more than two years intervened between 
the first writing and the last revision. 

The line of Joseph Pike ,6) , the Joseph Pike of Dr. Parish's day, is 
John (l) , John' 2 ' (brother of Maj. Robert Pike), Joseph^), Thomas 00 , 
John (5) , Joseph' 6 '. Gen. Albert Pike's line coincides with that of 
Joseph' 6 ' through the first five generations. John' 5 ' had four sons and 
six daughters ; his son Thomas' 6 ' had a son Benjamin (7) who was the 
father of the General. Another son of John (5) was Benjamin' 6 ', who 
ought to be enrolled high in any list of Byfield humorists. Unfortu- 
nately, while he was not of a low character, there was a tincture of coarse- 
ness in his characteristic sayings and doings which renders them hardly 
suitable for reproduction in this book. He settled in Topsfield and be- 
came the progenitor of a noble line, who inherited his strength of intel- 
lect while they discarded his coarseness, and have served the cause of 
Church and State with eminent usefulness. Mr. Baxter P. Pike, chair- 
man of the Board of Selectmen of Topsfield at the time of the recent 
celebration by that town, and who made the felicitous opening address, 
is a grandson of Benjamin' 6 '. Mrs. Harlan P. Floyd's line is, if my 
memory serves me — I have not my authorities at hand — the first 
five generations as above, then Thomas' 6 ', Thomas (7) , George (W?)' 8 '. 
Mr. Parsons' record of deaths shows that the Pikes were in Byfield as 
early as Joseph 4 ', who was born April 17, 1674, and whose brother 
Thomas' 4 ' was the grandfather of Joseph' 6 ', Benjamin' 6 ', and Thomas (6) . 

Theodore Parsons, the sixth son of the minister, who was born July 
31, 1 75 1, and was graduated from Harvard in 1773, was perhaps the 
star of his father's family, although that family included the Chief- Jus- 
tice. He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary Army, and then surgeon of 
the privateer brig " Bennington," which sailed from Gloucester in March, 



3 2 4 APPENDIX. 

1779. It is said that the brig was sunk in the English Channel in a 
battle with a British vessel of superior force, and that young Theodore 
Parsons shared his ship's fate, and so that star of most brilliant promise 
went below our horizon. 

Mr. Parsons' baptismal record, as given by Mr. Dummer in the Essex 
Antiquarian for April, 1902, contains this entry, — 

1750 

Theophilus Parsons (y e 2 and) my 4 th son Feb. 18 

This was the Chief- Justice, and Professor Parsons is in error (Memoir 
of the Chief-Justice, page 19) in making him the minister's third son; 
but I have also fallen into error in according the minister ten children. 
The number appears to have been nine, six sons and three daughters. 
I was misled by a mistake in copying. The statement as to the Parish 
and other Funds is not so complete as I could wish, but it comprises 
all the facts that I have been able to gather after many inquiries. The 
book is considerably larger than I at first proposed, but not quite so 
large as I anticipated when I sent out the announcement. All told, 
however, including illustration pages, it seems likely to reach nearly 
four hundred pages. 

I am under much more obligation to my family than I have hith- 
erto expressed. Two of my sons have done most of the type-writing ; 
one has reviewed the manuscript and given me helpful literary criti- 
cisms, and one, my oldest son, Arthur W., has taken great pains with 
the maps. Although he is not a professional draughtsman, I trust the 
work will be thought commendable. In fact, the book has been a 
family enterprise, to which each one has delighted to contribute what- 
ever time and opportunity permitted. 

I hope that the ministers of the two Byfield churches may always 
feel a territorial responsibility each for his section of the parish, and 
between them for the whole parish. It is a great evil to which our 
noble voluntary system is liable, that each pastor may forget that his 
responsibility stretches beyond his congregation, and includes every 
family and every soul that would naturally find a religious home in his 
church. The Good Shepherd has compassion on all those who are 
"scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd," and he would, I 
humbly conceive, have each one of his under-shepherds seek out and 
if possible reclaim the sheep that have gone astray in all the territory 
that naturally falls under his supervision. 

I would like to quote myself in my plea for the farm in my old-home- 



APPENDIX. 



325 



week sermon of July 26, 1903 : " For 200 years, reckoning from the 
first settlement, our people lived from generation to generation — save 
as the family must swarm from its very size — on their ancestral acres. 
They did not grow rich, but they led comfortable, happy, useful lives ; 
then the delusion seems to have taken possession of Byfield very largely 
that the only path to success led straight away from the farm. That 
is a serious mistake for the average boy and girl, and a worse one for 
the parish." 

Machinery makes farm work lighter than of old, and scientific research 
is revealing new possibilities of success in the crops and fruits and 
forests and the animal life of the farm. May there speedily arise a 
generation of Byfield young people who shall find a persuasive attrac- 
tion in the farms that afforded pleasant homes to our noble ancestors. 

Above all I would respectfully and affectionately entreat all the 
people of my dear native parish, and all the sons and daughters of 
Byfield lineage whom this word may reach, not lightly to forsake that 
narrow but safe way of trust in a crucified and risen Lord and Saviour 
made sacred to us because trodden by so many generations of our 
Byfield ancestry ; rather let each one of our hearts respond to the sweet 
solicitation of their example : 

I follow the path that my forefathers trod, 

Through the land of their sojourn to rest in their God. 

And now may He who has graciously spared my life and permitted 
me to bring this book to the final sentence condescend to accept it and 
use it, in Byfield and wherever its influence may extend, to hasten " the 
kingdom of his dear Son." 

Washington, D. C, Nov. 27, 1903. 



INDEX. 



Index. 



[The Appendix is not included.] 



Academy boys, 152, 230-231, 293. 

, Bradford, 182, 190. 

, Dummer, 9, 49, 57, 76, 82, 83, 113- 

117, 121, 152, 158, 184, 186, 193, 197, 
213, 218-220, 230, 232, 243, 248, 249, 
262, 281, 293, 298. 

farm, 82. 

, Phillips, 143, 215,279. 

Trustees, 232, 243, 244. 

Acadian exiles, no, in. 
Acton, Mass., 210. 
Adams, Abraham, 81, 91, 106, 187. 
, Abram, 132. 

Albert, 227. 

Mrs. Ann, 187, 295. 

B., 88i 

Rev. B., 88, 97. 

C. W., 282. 

David, 129. 

Ernest, 191. 

Rev. Frederick, 218, 219, 

Geo. W., 113, 295. 

Mrs. Geo. W., 254. 

Gibbins, 234. 

Israel, 120, 161. 

Mrs. John, 295. 

Pres. John, 188. 

Pres. J. Q., 146, 159, 178, 283. 

Joseph, 97, 105, 106. 

Josiah, 129, 132, 186. 

Leonard, 9, 163, 268. 

Mrs. Leonard, 260, 261. 

Martha, 269. 

Matthew, 88. 

Miss, 259. 

Nathan, 132. 

Rev. R. M. D., 259, 265, 273. 

Samuel, 106, 107, 113, 129. 

Stephen, 129, 161, 234, 269. 

William, 87. 
Address, Gen. Hist., 283. 

Old Standing Co., 185. 
Revolutionary to Boston, 120, 
121. 



Address, 125th anniversary Dummer 

Academy, 244. 
Adelynrood, 268. 
Afternoon Service, 259. 
Agricultural Soc, Mass., 137. 
Alaska, 289. 
Algerine pirates, 193. 
Allen, Mr., 268. 
Almanac, interleaved, 101. 

, Old Farmer's, 247. 

Almshouse, Georgetown, 187. 
Alvord, Rev., 216. 
Ambrose, A., 56, 57. 

, Frank, 5. 

, F. M., 267. 

American Board, 180, 215, 219. 

loyalists, 118, 119, 123. 

Miss. Assoc, 215, 226. 

Ames, Fisher, 139. 

Amherst College, 215, 219, 220, 252. 

Andover, grammar-school, 142. 

Theol. Seminary, 142, 215, 216, 219, 

252, 279. 
Andrew, Gov., 257. 
Appeal, Rev., 121. 
Appleton, 63. 
Arbella, 14. 
Ashsprington, 23. 
Atwood, Harriet, 183. 
Authorities, 1, 8, 45, 70, 101, 159, 209. 
Auvergne, 285. 
Awakening, Great, 105. 

Bailey, 41. 

, C. C, 266, 292. 

, John, 132, 185. 

Balch, Dea. P., 233. 
Bancroft, Dr. C. E. P., 144. 
Banyan, 151. 
Baptism, 162. 
Baptist church, 163. 

society, 166. 

Barbadoes, 35, 36, 102. 
Barbour, Rev. I. R., 209, 210. 



33° 



INDEX. 



Barker, 41. 

, Thos., 4. 

Bark, machine for grinding, 168. 
Bartlett, Wm., 167. 
Bass, 206. 

Bishop, 107. 

viol, 225. 

Bassett, W. A., 230. 
Bateman, 16. 
Baxter, Rev. Mr., 253. 
Bay Colony, 244. 
Bayonets forged, 130. 
Bears, 12, 66. 
Bede, Venerable, 41. 
Beecher, Rev. C, 4. 

, Rev. Edward, 215. 

, Rev. H. W., 197. 

Beekman, Rev. G., 254. 

Belford, 73. 

Bell, church, 76, 179, 180, 205, 260. 

Bellomont, 287. 

Berzelius, 195. 

Bible, black letter, 29. 

, church, gift of, 224, 277 

, distributed, 220. 

, Moody, 68. 

, Pike, 240. 

read in church, 85, 86. 

, Stickney, 68. 

Bickersteth, Rev. E., 27. 

Bigelow, Rev. J., 209. 

Bille, 129. 

Bill of Rights, 128. 

Bishopstoke, Eng., 25, 26, 80. 

Black, J., 239. 

Blake, Mrs. F. W., 260. 

Board, price of, 248. 

Bonin islands, 193. 

Books, read by the people, 65, 66, 153, 

204, 205. 
Boscawen, N. H., 96. 
Boston, Indian slave, 88. 

Port Bill, 121. 

, trip to, 156. 

Boundary, U. S. and B. A., 146. 

Bounties, 126. 

Bourbons, 284, 288. 

Bowdoin College, 194, 196, 197, 243. 

Boynton, David, 132. 

, Enoch, 128, 169, 205, 236. 

, Joshua, 77, 78, 132. 

, Moody, 300. 

Tavern, 205. 

Boys sent to College, 116. 
Bradford, Eng., 40. 
, Mass., 47. 



Braman, Rev. I., 185. 
Brass kettle, 65. 
Brewster, 195. 
Bridge, Oldtown, 47. 

, Rocks, 221. 

, Rye Plain, 4. 

, Symond's, 11. 

, Thurlow's, 10, 47, 276. 

, Turnpike, 10. 

Bridle, 130. 
Brinley, 70. 
Bristol, R. I., 74. 
Brocklebank, 4, 40, 41. 

, Capt. Samuel, 3, 4, 58, 75. 

Bronson, Rev. P., 221. 

Brookline, 125. 

Brooks, Rev. C, 209, 216-21S, 252, 

256. 
Brooksbank, 41. 
Brown, 41. 

, Ebenezer, 3. 

, Mrs. D. A., 295. 

.John, 3, 75, 240. 

, Joseph, 186. 

, Mayor, 292, 293. 

, Nathaniel, 3. 

Buffalo robe, 248. 
Bunker Hill, 122, 123. 
Burgoyne, 125, 126. 
Burnet, Governor, 85. 
Burnham, Mrs., 261. 
Burrill, James, 221. 

, Jerusha, 221. 

Burying-Ground, 72, 81, 180, 218. 
Bury St. Edmunds, 30. 
Bushnell, Rev. H., 210. 
Butler, O. S., 222. 
Buxton, Me., 96. 
Byfield, a parish, 274. 

Bi-centennial, 272-300. 

bounds, 1-4. 

Centennial, 170. 

contribution for Rev., 121. 

ghost, 283. 

Hist. Soc, 297. 

hospitality, 295. 

, Judge, 70, 72-76, 277, 285. 

line, 1-3. 

map, 7. 

, Mills Village, 221, 222, 257. 

name, significance of, 75. 

natural history, n-14. 

officers in Rev. War, 132. 

Parish, those who went out from, 

192, 200, 264-266. 
, patriotism of, in Rev., 117, 118. 



INDEX. 



331 



Byfield people of to-day, 266-270. 

population, 7. 

, Richard, 73. 

Rifle Company, 184, 1S5, 192 

Snuff Co., 266. 

soil, 11. 

, where it is, 1. 

Woods, 12, 13. 

Cabot, Geo., 290. 
Caldwell, Dr. Charles, 265. 

, D. A., 265. 

, D. S., 233, 256, 265. 

, J. H., 228, 259. 

, S. N., 295. 

California, 214, 215. 
Calopogon, 13. 
Cambridge, 122. 
Candles, 87, 248, 281. 
Candlestick crane, 61,62. 
Canterbury, Archbishop, 19. 
Cape Sable, 286. 
Cardinal flower, 13. 
Carding machine, 168. 
Carlton, 41. 
Carroll, Charles, 222. 
Cart Creek, 46, 52. 
Cassady, Charles, 132. 
Catechism, Mr. Noyes', 56. 

, Mr. Rogers', 56. 

Catechising children, 148, 175. 
Cattle, 66, 179, 232, 24S. 
Causeway, 10. 
Celebration, 4th July, 227. 
Cemetery, new, 229. 
Centennial, Byfield, 170. 

, Dummer, 243. 

Cent Institution, 180. 
Chandler, Rev. J., 95, 295. 

, Mary H., 295. 

Channell, Mary, 159, 207. 
Chaplin, 41. 

, Calvin, 269. 

, Jennie, 269. 

, Sarah, 269. 

Charcoal burner, 220. 

Charlestown, 168. 

Chase, Moses, 186. 

Chauncey, Dr., 102, 107, 277, 279. 

Cheney, 266. 

, Augustus J., 274. 

, Daniel, 132. 

, David, 132. 

, Greenleaf, 249. 

, John, 2, 3, 5, 77, 122. 

, Jonathan, 132. 



Cheney, Mrs. Mary, 77. 

, Moody, 234. 

Chess, game of, 180. 

Children, large families, 62, 100, 246. 

Childs, Rev. J. H., 252. 

Choate, Geo. F., 230, 244. 

, Mrs. Lucretia, 230. 

Choir, 184, 185, 
Cholderton, Eng., 33. 

rectory and rectors, 34. 

Christian Assoc, 229. 

Church, additions to, 98, 149, 210, 213, 

215, 216, 217, 252, 253,254. 

, Advent, 241. 

, Calvary Methodist, 221. 

committee, 106. 

lamps, 260. 

Manual, 260, 262. 

meetings, 225. 

melodeon, 260. 

, Methodist, formed, 220-222. 

Chute, 5, 93, no. 

, Rev. A. P., 198, 242. 

, Rev. B. P., 198. 

, Daniel, 122, 190. 

Genealogy, 28. 

, Mrs. Hannah A., 190. 

, James, 3, 76, 78, 132, 136. 

, Lionell, 3, 5. 

, Mary, 136, 190. 

, Richard, 198. 

, Richard H., 242. 

Clark, Dr. John, 52. 
Clay Lane, 9, 92. 
Cleaveland, Rev. E., 141. 

, Rev. J. P., 198, 223. 

, Mary, 141. 

, N., 92, 114, 197, 218, 219, 222, 223, 

231, 232. 
, Dr. Parker, 108, 127, 128, 159, 166, 

188, 202, 237, 280. 
, Prof. Parker, 186, 193-196, 223, 

280. 
Clifford, Sally, 221. 
Closing scene, 210. 
Clothing, 53, 65, 66, 150, 151. 

, mourning, 155. 

Cloth mill, first, 53. 
Coal, anthracite, 245. 
Codman, R., 230. 

, W., 230. 

Coffee, 94. 

Coffin, Joshua, 57, 295. 

, 283. 

Coggeshall, Rev. S. W., 221. 
Coggin, Rev. W. S., 252. 



332 



INDEX. 



Cogswell, General, 244, 265. 

Coin, 151. 

Colbe, A., 120. 

College graduates, 79, 96, 97. 

Colman, Dea. B., 115, 129,131, 133-135, 

162, 190, 191, 212, 228, 259. 

, Dudley, 121, 129, 133, 135. 

, Henry, 269. 

, Col. Jeremiah, 242, 243. 

J. C, 130, 192, 243. 

, Moses, 130, 180, 191, 192, 222, 242, 

243, 269. 

, Samuel, 135. 

, Ensign Thomas, 95, 119. 

, Thomas, 135. 

, William, 136. 

Colonization, 95, 96, 136, 137. 

Colony, Rogers, 39. 

Committee, Bi-centennial, 296, 297. 

, Bill of Rights, 128. 

, Correspondence, 125, 128. 

, Currency, 128. 

distribute arms, 121. 

due observance Lord's Day, 181. 

raise soldiers, 126-128. 

Safety, 126, 127. 

State Constitution, 127. 

Confederate army, 238, 244. 

Widows' Home, 244. 

Congregationalist, 248. 
Constitution, National, 139. 

, N. Hamp., 137. 

, State, 127, 128, 138, 139. 

Consumption, 248. 
Contribution for Boston, 121. 

, patriotic, 121. 

Controversy, Parsons-Colman, 133-135. 

Cooper shops, 169. 

Cordwainer, 101. 

Cornel, flowering, 12. 

Corn-sheller, 168. 

Cornwallis, 125, 136. 

Corser, John, 88. 

Cottage meetings, 250. 

Cotton, Rev. John, 48. 

Couch, Rev. Paul, 209. 

Council, church, 50. 

Coventry, England, 20, 21. 

, home of Sewalls, 20, 21. 

Creevey, Mrs. J. K., 136. 
Creighton, Mr., 197. 
Cross pasture, 97. 
Currency, 109, 131, 151-152. 

barter, 151. 

Currier, J. J., 167. 
Cutler, Mrs. Everett, 137. 



Cutler, Manasseh, 283. 
Cuvier, 195. 

Dagen, Rev. Mr., 268. 

Dale, Surg.-Gen., 257. 

Dall, Mrs. C. H., 292, 293, 298. 

Danbury, Conn., 126. 

Dancing-master, 133. 

Dane, Nathan, 283, 289. 

Danforth, Jonathan, 89. 

, Joseph, 122. 

, Simeon, 193. 

Daniels, Mrs. J. P. R., 259. 

Dark Day, 137. 

Dartmouth College, 141, 142, 160, 161, 

177. 195- 
Davenport, Rev. J., 102. 
Davis, Abraham, 103. 

, E. P., 254. 

, Susan, 103. 

Davy, 195. 

Dawkins, D., 6, 187, 188, 191, 241, 

Deacons, 77. 

, list of, 78. 

Death, Geo. Washington, 170. 

, Rev. M. Hale, 99. 

, Dr. Parish, 207. 

, Rev. M. Parsons, 157. 

Deceased citizens, 262-264. 
Declaration of Independence, 154. 
Dedham, birthplace Lionel Chute, 28. 

, Eng., 28. 

Deed, 15, 91. 

Deer, 12. 

De-lano, Phillip, 5. 

Democrats, 172, 173. 

Dennison, L., 241. 

Devil's Den, 194. 

Devon, Eng., 23. 

Dexter, Lord Timothy, 101. 

Diary, Adams, J. Q., 146, 159, 178. 

, Mary Channell, 159, 207. 

, Rev. Moses Parsons, 12, 79, 101, 

115, 124, 129, 133, 135, 136, 145, 148, 

149. 

, Judge Sewall, 80, 81, 90. 

, Miss Tucker, 178. 

Diary and letters, T. Hutchinson, 123. 
Dickinson, 61. 

, Oliver, 120, 188. 

Dinner, bi-centennial, 291, 292, 299, 300. 

Disease, treatment of, 154. 

Dixie, 238, 239. 

Dog, 66. 

Dol, Brittany, 32. 

Dole, Enoch, 132. 



INDEX. 



333 



Dole, Geo. H., 188, 189, 265, 268. 

, Geo. T., 212. 

, Greenleaf, 113. 

, Henry, 265. 

, Ira, 205, 241. 

, Moody, 226. 

, Moses, 127, 128, 212, 227. 

neighborhood, 92. 

, Richard, 66. 

Dollar, 131. 

Doves, 12. 

Dow, Benj., 209. 

Dresser, 4, no. 

Drumlin, 8. 

Dublin, 22. 

Dudley, Katherine, 82. 

, Gov. Paul, 82, 285. 

, Major, 184. 

Duell, no. 
Dummer, 166, 266. 

, Edward, 199, 265. 

, Mrs. Elizabeth, 5, 79. 

, English, 31. 

, Mrs. Frances, 62, 6^, 65. 

, Jeremiah, 63, 74-76, 82, 128. 

, John, 5, 159, 168, 199-201, 265, 

280. 

, Joseph N., 215. 

, Joshua, 200. 

, Lady, 283. 

, Madam, 81. 

, N., 132. 

, N. N., 6, n, 51, 169, 200, 256, 

267. 

, pasture, 178. 

, Richard, 5, 25, 47-51, 58, 63, 64, 82, 

128, 132, 275, 276. 

, Stephen, 26. 

, William, 128. 

, Lieut.-Gov. William, 70, 74, 82-86, 

277, 278. 
Durant, Rev. H., 209-215, 227. 

, Sarah L., 213. 

Dwight, Dr., 194. 
Dwight's Travels, 159, 167. 

Early deaths, 268-270. 

Ear-marks, 66. 

Earthquake, 94. 

Eastleigh, 25. 

Edward III., 20. 

Egg nogg, 176. 

Elder's Plaine, 4. 

Electric cars, 262. 

Eliot, President, 147, 148, 300. 

" Elizabeth and Dorcas," arrival of, 45. 



Embargo, 173. 

Emerson, Rev. Jos., 171, 183, 191. 
Emery, Miss S., 154, 207, 273. 
Emigration, cause of, 42-44. 

, E. Rogers and neighbors, 37. 

Emperor William, 275. 
England, Hannah, 221. 
English aid, 123. 
Episcopal Chapel, 115. 
Essex Bar Assoc, 244. 

County, 1, 283, 284, 287. 

Junto, 284. 

Result, 13S. 

Evangelists, 105. 

Evansville, Ind., 198. 

Events in parish, 178-186, 258-262. 

Everett, E., 2S0. 

Ewell Castle, ^. 

, house, 153. 

> J- L., 3, 5, 268, 274, 294, 298, 299. 

palace of Henry VIII., 33. 

, pasture, terraces, 9. 

, Samuel, 225, 227. 

Exeter, N. H., 125, 137. 
Experience, religious, 201. 

> , Chute, H., 202. 

> , Cleaveland, Dr. P., 202. 

, , Hale, Daniel, 202. 

> > Pike, Joseph, 201, 202. 

, , Stickney, William, 201. 

Factory, 167, 16S. 
Falls of Parker, 46, 167. 
Falmouth, Me., 97. 
Family Worship, 195, 202, 204, 281. 
Farewell to New England, 239. 
Farmers' Club, 253. 
Farrar, Treas., 143. 
Fashion fads, 249. 
Fast, 117, 159. 

Fatherland Farm, 5, 48, 179, 231, 232, 
233. 264- 

Mansion, 179, 272, 276. 

Fauna, n. 
Federalist, 172, 173. 
Female Seminary, 183. 
Ferguson, Mrs. E. C, 101, 205. 

, James, 223, 232. 

Fireplace, 61. 
Fires, 191, 222, 223. 
First English child, 104. 
Fish, 206. 
Fletcher, James, 92. 

, Rev. Mr., 145. 

Flood, 122. 
, Enoch, 132. 



334 



INDEX. 



Floyd, Enoch, 15. 

, Joseph, 186. 

Forbes, A. B., 243, 263, 264. 

, Mrs. A. B., 140, 174, 260, 261, 267, 

272, 294, 296, 297, 298. 
Foss, J. N., 228. 

, John, 159, 193. 

Franklin, B., 284, 287, 288. 
Frazier, Colin, 5, 75, 76, 89. 

, Gershom, 95. 

, John, 109. 

, Rock, 4, 76. 

French, Rev. Wm., 220, 221. 
Funds, 97. 

, Newbury, 97, 180. 

, Rowley, 97. 

Funerals, costly, 154, 155. 
Furnace, 227. 

Gadsden, 33. 

Gage, Thos., 57, 88, 113, 116, 187. 

Galleries, 162. 

Galosh, 151. 

Gardner, A. P., 292. 

,S. S.,195. 

Garland, Dr., 236. 

Gay, Rev. J. S., 252. 

Gazeteer, 177. 

Geology, 8-1 1. 

George, King, 2S6, 287, 288. 

, Mr., 268. 

Georgetown, 1, 54, 95, 163, 191. 

communion service, 95. 

parish inc., 95. 

Gerrish, no, 237. 

, Capt. Jacob, 121, 122. 

, Mrs. Jane, 5, 71, 123. 

, Col. Joseph, 90, 124, 277. 

, Moses, 2, 3, 53, 81, 82, 95, 123. 

, Pall (Paul ?), 132. 

, Col. Samuel, 123. 

, Stephen, 95, 122. 

Gerry, E., 173. 
Giant, stalking, 154. 
Gilman, Arthur, 230. 
Gleason, Alice, 259. 

, George, 259. 

, Rev. G. L., 253, 292, 294. 

, Mrs., 253, 261. 

Glen Mills, 46, 47, 101, 120. 
Gloucester, 35, 102, 141. 
Gloucestershire, Eng., 35. 
Goodhue, Mrs. J., 168. 
Goodrich, Benj., 58, 60. 

, Daniel, 132. 

-, John, 87. 



Goodrich, Joseph, 128, 132. 

, Oliver, 122, 1S6. 

, Philip, 5. 

, Mrs. Wm., 54. 

Goslar, 275, 282. 
Gould, B. A., 186, 187. 
Gragoes, 151. 
Grand Menan, 123. 
Grant, Miss Z., 183. 
Gravestone, Hale, 235. 
Gray's Elegy, 210. 
Greeley, General, 257. 
Greenland, N. H., 144. 
Greenleaf, 283. 
Groveland, 4. 

Hale, 26, 266. 

, Apphia M., 96, 288. 

, Daniel, 122, 152, 155, 156,202-204, 

230. 231, 248. 

, Rev. E. E., 96, 282, 283, 298, 300. 

house, 153, 202, 300. 

, James O., 60, 222. 

, Mrs. James O., 121, 200, 295. 

, Joanna, 96. 

, John, 78. 

, Joseph, 3, 96, 101, in, 114, 121, 

136, 150, 151. 

, Mrs. Mary, 79, 80, 136. 

, Rev. Moses, W. Newbury, 97. 

, Rev. Moses, 75, 77-79, 81, 87, 98- 

100, 274, 278. 

, Nathan, 96. 

, Samuel, 282. 

, Mrs. Samuel, 259. 

, Thomas, 26, 27, 78. 

Hallowell, Me., 136. 

Hamilton, Alexander, 138. 

Handicraft, 150. 

Hanover, N. H., 142. 

Harrison, Pres. W. H., 226. 

Harvard College, 58, 83, 103, 138, 142, 

!43> r 93> J 95. 253, 279. 

Professors, 149, 157. 

Hasseltine, Abigail, 182. 

, Ann, 183. 

, Mary, 182. 

Hathaway, Mr., 229. 

, Mrs. Mary Ann, 219, 229. 

Hayne, Senator, 173. 
Haywood, Hon. S., 210. 
Hazen, Frank, 120, 141, 279. 
Henderson, 209. 
Henry VIII., 22, 30, 33. 

, Prince, 147. 

Henshaw, Marshall, 209, 219, 220, 281. 



INDEX. 



335 



Herds, 66. 

, R. Dummer's, 48. 

Higginson, John, 68. 

Highfield, 91. 

Hildyard, Rev. H. C. T., 38, 39. 

, Robert, 38. 

Hill, Hudson, 163. 

, Mrs., 26S. 

History, Newbury, 167. 

, Rowley, 187. 

, Standard, Essex Co., 181. 

Holland, 37. 
Holmes, O. W., 139. 
Holt, Rev. E., 209. 
Holton, Rev. C. S., 292, 294. 
Home life, 247. 
Hopkinson, 42. 
Hopkinton, 145, 146. 
Hopton, 35. 

, Capt. C. E., 36. 

, Miss Winifred A., 36. 

Home, P. L., 186, 267, 272, 292, 300. 
Horsch, 5, 76. 
Horse block, 54. 

sheds, 25S, 259. 

Horsforth, 40. 

Houses, old, 53, 92, 93, 153, 239. 

Houzen, 151. 

Hovey, Rev. H. C, 57. 

Howe, Edwin, 269. 

, Moses W., 225, 234, 269. 

, Mrs. Moses W., 234, 257, 281. 

, Samuel, 234. 

Hubbard, Calvin, 265. 

, O. C, 265. 

Hull, 37- 

, Hannah, 91. 

, John, 91. 

Hunt, Leigh, 210. 

Hutchinson, Mrs. Ann, 48, 49, 276. 

, Gov. Thomas, 70, 84, 11S, 123. 

Hymn-books, 220, 224. 

Ice Cream, 281. 
Indian, Boston, 88. 

burying-ground, 16. 

garl, 88. 

, Hagar, 1 5, 60. 

, Job, 15, 60. 

, last, 15. 

, Mary, 15, 60. 

, Masconomo, 14, 57, 60. 

, Old Will, 15,60. 

relics, 16. 

rubber shoes, 245, 246. 

, Thomas, 15. 



Indian wars and massacre, 16, 57~59> 

83-S5- 
Indians, 104, in, 112. 

, of Byfield, 14-16. 

Infernalism, 173. 
Iron works, 156. 

Jackman, no. 

, Mrs. Abigail, 269. 

, Benj , Jr., 132. 

, Mrs. Eben, 234, 250, 269, 295. 

, Capt. Timothy, 121, 126, 12S, 

295. 
Jackson, 41, 283. 

, Judge, 139. 

Jaques, Betty, 295. 
Jefferson, Thos., 172, 173. 
Jesuit, 284, 285. 
Jewett, 40, 41. 

, Amos, 119, 120, 129. 

, Amos, Jr., 125, 126. 

, Mrs. Capt., 225. 

, David, 127, 237, 280. 

, Gorham, 24S. 

, Jeremiah, 126, 127. 

, Rev. J., 102. 

, Dr. Joshua, 205. 

, Leonard, 227. 

, Maximilian, 129, 130, 226. 

, Nehemiah, 152. 

, Robert, 231. 

, Thos., 4. 

Johannes, 151. 
Johnson, 53. 

, N, 255, 282. 

, Sarah Jane, 244. 

Josephs, 151. 
Judson, Ann H., 183. 
Juxson, Archbishop, 74. 

Kellogg, Professor, 209. 
Kemerton, 35, 102. 

, home of Parsons family, 35. 

Manor house, 35, 36. 

Kennet River, Eng , 21. 
Kent, 237, 280. 

, E. W., 255. 

, J. H., 255. 

, Richard, 2, 186. 

Kent's Island, 61, 124. 

Kettle holes, 8. 

Kidder, Mr., 261, 292, 293, 300. 

Killdeer, 12. 

King Philip's War, 57. 

, Rufus, 101. 

Kirkland, Professor, 135. 



336 



INDEX. 



Knapsack bridle, 130. 
Kneeland, 192. 

, Aaron, 6. 

, Arthur, 6. 

Knight, C. F., 191, 273. 
, Mrs. George, 261. 

Lacroix, Maurice, 3, 53, 81, 90, 124. 

Ladder, 237, 238. 

Ladies' Benev. Soc, 178, 226, 227, 259, 

260, 261. 
Lafayette, 283. 
Lambert, 41. 
Lamson, Rev. Dr., 219. 
Langdon, President, 124. 
Larkin, Samuel, 254. 

, Thomas, 168. 

Laud, Archbishop, 42, 43. 
Lavenake, Mehitable, III. 

, Stephen, no, in. 

Lebanon, Conn., 161. 

Ledgers, Hale, 150, 151, 152, 153, 205. 

, Lieut. S. Longfellow, 70, 86, 88, 

89. 

, Pearson, Jeremiah, 150. 

, , Reuben, 151. 

Leeds, Eng., 40. 

, Rev. Dr., 142. 

Lees, John, 168. 

Legends, 275. 

Leighton's Corner, 71. 

Letter Book, Judge Sewall's, 98. 

Letters, 66. 

Lexington, 122-124. 

Leyden, 22, 103. 

Lich gate, 24. 

Life of the people, 150-156, 200-206, 

245-251. 

of the pioneers, 61-69. 

Lincoln, President, assassinated, 257. 
Little, Col. Moses, 122. 

, Weeton, 39. 

, William, 292, 293, 300. 

Loan Exhibit, 294, 295. 
Lobsters, 247, 249. 
Lodge, Senator, 82. 
Log cabin, 61, 226. 
Lombard, Rev. H. E., 254. 
Longfellow, 120, 166. 

, Mrs. Abigail, 136. 

, Betty, 88, 89. 

, Capt. Edward, 160. 

, English home, 40. 

, H. W., 86, 97, 196, 285, 286. 

, Horace, 70. 

, Samuel, 161. 



Longfellow, Lieut. Stephen, 70, 86-90, 

97, 106, 135, 136. 

, William, 2, 3, 40, 54. 

Long Hill, 4, 8, 10, n, 47, 120, 122, 136, 

148, 176, 275. 

, backward and forward, 270, 271. 

, Mrs. Elizabeth, 75, 76. 

Look, Jonathan, 3. 
Lord, Asa, 245. 
Louisburg, no, 285. 
Louis Philippe, 283. 
Louis XV., 285. 
Lowell, 60, 198, 199, 283. 

, Francis, 198. 

, John, 288, 289. 

, Rev. John, 273. 

Lull, David, 128. 

, John, 3. 

, Moses, 120, 126, 150. 

ox, 237. 

Lunt, Mrs. A. A., 59. 

, John, 132. 

Lyon, Mary, 159, 183. 

Machine, grinding, 168. 
Mails, 124. 

Mansion house, 82, 267. 
Mantel-piece, 179. 
Manufactures, 167. 
Maps, Rowley, n. 
Marlboro, 4. 
Martin, James, 132. 

, Jonathan, 132. 

, Richard, 122, 132. 

Mascarene, Paul, 84. 
Masconomo, 14, 57. 
Mason, Col. David, 141. 

, Susan, 141. 

Mass., Constitution of, 138, 139. 

Miss. Magazine, 180. 

Miss. Society, 180. 

Masury, Mrs., 292, 293. 
Matches, friction, 245. 
McConnell, Rev. S. J., 253. 
McGee, Professor, 8. 
McKinley, President, 266. 

, death of, 42. 

Medicine, knowledge of, 67. 
Meeting-house, 71, 72, 98, 108, 156, 273, 
274, 287, 298. 

clock, 224. 

enlarged, 98. 

, first, 71, 72. 

, Old South, Boston, 286. 

, Oldtown, 72. 

, plan of, 108, 109. 



INDEX. 



337 



Meeting-house repaired, 170. 

, seceders', 163, 164, 167. 

, second, 10S. 

sleigh, 163, 164, 183, 190. 

, third, 223. 

Meetings, parish, 169, 170. 

, protracted, 210. 

, town, to raise soldiers, 128. 

Memorial, R. Dummer, 26. 

, Stephen Dummer, 26. 

, Thomas Dummer, 26. 

Men, great, from the country, 147. 

Merrill, Nat, 234. 

Merrimac River, 291. 

Methodist chapel, 221, 222. 

church, 254. 

church organ, 254. 

, formed, 221. 

, growth, 254, 255. 

new meeting-house, 255. 

Mighill, B. P., 292, 294. 
, Capt. Thos., 125, 128. 

Militia, inspect, 127. 
Mills, bark, 168, 169. 

, cotton, 168. 

, fulling, 46, 52, 54, 276. 

, Glen, 47, 52. 

, grist, 48, 54, 94. 

, saw, 93, 94, 169. 

, scythe, 169. 

, snuff, 155, 156, 168. 

, woollen, 198, 266, 267. 

Minchin, 6, 94, 122, 153. 
Mingo, Robert, 5, 71. 
Ministry rate, 3-5, 54. 
Missionary barrels, 260, 261. 

concert, 204. 

Herald, 248. 

societies, aux. to W. B. M., 262. 

, Helen Noyes', Mission Band, 

262. 

spirit, 180. 

Missions, foreign, 186. 
Monadnock, n. 
Money, Mr., 23. 

collected for Boston, 121. 

Montcalm, in, 112, 285. 
Monthly concert, 225. 
Monument, 212. 
Moody, 5, 12, 30, 122, 166, 283. 

, Apphia, 96, 282. 

, Caleb, 1 16. 

, Edmond, 30. 

, Faithful, 116. 

handkerchief, 116. 

, Miss Harriet, 3, 54. 



Moody, Henry L., 227. 

, Rev. John, 96, 97. 

, Joshua, 67, 116. 

, Luther, 187, 214, 223, 229, 232, 

?33> 2 43- 

, L. R., 4, 71, 97, 265, 268. 

, Mrs. Mehitable, 71-73, 77-79. 

, Paul, 116, 122, 126, 159, 161, 168, 

198, 199, 280. 

, Dea. Samuel, 77, 78, 106, 135. 

, Master Samuel, n 5-1 17, 121, 133, 

141, 142, 145, 146, 190, 279. 

, William, 198, 282. 

, Dea. William, 2-3, 53, 77-79, 8i, 

89, 91, 274, 282. 
, W. H., 54, 116, 244, 265, 266, 

282. 
Mooney, John, 6. 
Moral society, 1S1. 
More, Thos., 22. 
Morgan, Miss Emily M., 70, 268. 

, Mrs. E. P., 24. 

Morrill, Howard F., 269. 

, L. O., 255. 

Morrison, L., 254. 
Morse, Elizabeth, 60. 

, Jedediah, 168, 176. 

, W. H., 272. 

Mortar for grain, 48. 
Murray, Rev. J., 10S. 

Nails, cut, 168. 

, hand-made, 168. 

Nantasket, 133. 
Napoleon, 287. 
Narragansett No. 1, 96. 
Natural history, n-14. 
Navy, Sec. of, 54. 
Negroes, 5, 80, 81, 98. 

, Bille, 129. 

, Caesar Hendrick, 288. 

, Cuff, 113, 129. 

, Hannibal, 98. 

, Jane, 99. 

, Scipio, 80, Si. 

, Violet, 134, 135. 

Nelson, 42. 

, Admiral, 53. 

, Charles, 188. 

, Francis, 4. 

, Thomas, 53. 

Neutka Sound, 289. 
Newbury, Eng., 21-23, 37* 

, , Historian, 23. 

, , Jack of, 22. 

, , Parish Register, 23. 



338 



INDEX. 



Newbury, Eng., Reformation in, 22. 

Mass., 1-4, 37. 45- 28 3- 

, Bi-centennial, 184. 

, Falls, 77. 

, Fund, 97, 180. 

, Representative of, 123. 

, Rev. Appeal, 121. 

, settlers, 51. 

Newburyport, 10, 2S3, 299. 

Herald, 124, 172, 174, 204, 245, 248. 

Turnpike, 181. 

Newell, Mrs. H. A., 183. 

, Moses, 230. 

New England Magazine, 38. 

plantation of religion, 69. 

New Hampshire colonists, 136, 137. 

Newmarket, N. H., 97. 

New Rowley, 163. 

Newspapers, 66, 76, 83, 99, 102, 172. 

New York, 126. 

Nonesuch, Palace of, 33. 

North, Christopher, 239. 

Northend, 40, 41. 

, Charles, 243. 

, Ezekiel, 39, 92. 

, Jeremiah, 39. 

, Mrs. Mary, 39. 

, Lieut. Samuel, 92, 119, 120, 125, 

, W. D., 92, 114, 120, 195, 227, 236, 

243, 261, 292, 293, 300. 
Notes in church, 250. 
Nova Scotia, 84. 
Noyes, 21, 33, 34, 46, 56, 283. 

, Atherton, 265, 300. 

, Dea. Cutting, 2. 

, Capt. Daniel, 183, 200, 224, 227 

233, 246. 

, D. P., 7, 108, 109, 227, 262, 263. 

, Mrs. D. P., 261, 263. 

, E. P., 153, 265, 300. 

, Rev. James, 34. 

, John, 113. 

, John, 2d, 122. 

, Joseph, 132. 

, Joshua, 113. 

, Lemuel, 166, 300. 

, Miss M. McG., 300. 

, Nicholas, 34. 

, Samuel, 128. 

, Thomas, 128. 

Oakland, Cal., 214, 215. 
Objections to Dr. Parish, 161-164. 
Odell, Mrs. W. P., 209, 221. 
, Rev. W. P., 221. 



Ohio, 136. 

Old Tenor, 151. 

Oliver, Rev. Daniel, 160. 

Olmstead, J. L., 141, 266. 

Oration, John Bailey, 185. 

on Washington, 170. 

Organ, Cong. Church, 259, 260. 

, Meth. Church, 254. 

Otter, 12. 
Oxford, Eng., 22. 
Oyster Point, 2, 7, 9, 48. 
Oysters, 13, 281. 

Palmer, 42. 
Paper hanging, 151. 
Parish, Rev. A., 202. 

, beginnings of, 70. 

Bi-centennial, 272-300. 

, cause of formation, 70. 

Centennial, 170. 

Church of St. Nicholas, 22. 

, Rev. E., 85, 159, 161-167, 171- 

180, 273, 279, 299, 300. 

, events in, 169, 178. 

, Miss Hannah, 224. 

, incorporated, 77. 

meeting, 124, 125, 169, 253. 

, objections to ordination, 164. 

, separation from, 163-167. 

, the new, 70-73. 

Treasury, surplus, 259. 

Parishioners, 135, 230-236. 

Park, Professor, 143, 144. 

Parker, Chief-Justice, 139, 140. 

, Rev. T., 21, 22,46, 56. 

Parratt, 42. 

Parsonage, First, 72, 118, 167,170, 171. 

, life at, 150, 279. 

, sold, 228. 

, Methodist, 255. 

, present, 167, 191, 253. 

Parsons, 23, 24, 35, 36. 

, Eben, 178-180, 231. 

, Ebenezer, 102. 

, Emily E., 140. 

, Mrs. E. G., 261. 

, Geoffrey, Godfrey, 35, 36. 

, Gorham, 226, 231, 232, 233, 258, 

269. 

, Jeffrey, 102. 

, Mrs. Moses, 103-105. 

, Rev. Moses, 12, 79, 101-109, in, 

112, 115, 116, 118, 133, 145. M?-^ . 
159, 163,278, 279. 

, Chief-Justice Theophilus, 13S-140, 

142, 147, 159, 168, 266, 279. 



INDEX. 



339 



Parsons, Prof. Theophiluc, 24, 103, 140. 

, William, 224. 

Parsons-Colman Controversy, 133-135- 

Party collation, 250. 

Pastors installed, 209, 215, 253. 

ordained, 75, 102, 163,210, 216, 252, 

-S3- 
Patents, 16S, 169, 198, 265. 

Patrick, Mr., 60. 
Patriotic meetings, 255. 
Paupers, 67. 
Peabody, George, 55, 259. 

, James, 227, 232. 

, J. C, 5, 16, 93, 156, 190, 260. 

, Mrs. J. C, 94, 151, 184. 

, Mrs. Sarah Dole, 227. 

Pearce, Rev. R., 135. 
Pearson, 41, 162, 166, 257. 

, Benjamin, 6, 53, 77, 92, 121, 161, 

200, 226, 234, 266. 

, Bradstreet, 126. 

, Daniel, 120. 

, Elijah, 93. 

, Eliphalet, 137, 142-145, 147, 279. 

, Enoch, 120. 

, H. E., 254, 255. 

, H. T., 10S. 

, Jacob, 120. 

, Jeremiah, 94, 101, 120. 

, John, 46, 52, 53, 125, 128, 132, 185, 

276. 

, Jonathan, 132. 

, Lyman, 6. 

, Moses, 120. 

, Nathaniel, 186, 222. 

, Noyes, 120. 

, Reuben, 11, 101, 120, 151, 152, 156, 

162. 

, Mrs. Sophronia, 93. 

, Stephen, 160. 

, Tappan, 234, 260. 

, Mrs. Tappan, 234, 260. 

Peat, 8, 9, 248. 

Peculiar people, 236-238. 

Pelham Manor, 216. 

Pemaquid, 2S5. 

Pepperell, 285. 

Pequot War, 57. 

Perch, 13. 

Perkins, Rev. A. E. P., 202. 

, J. W., 292, 293. 

, Mrs. J. W., 261. 

■ , Jacob, 168. 

Perley, Dea. P., 230, 232. 

Perry, W. W., 221. 

Pews, 6S, 109. 



Pewter, 65. 

Philendian Society, 1S2. 
Phip's Expedition, 54, 96. 
Pickard, 41. 
Pickerel, 13. 
Pickering, Colonel, 126. 
Pierce Hall, 267. 
Pierrepont, Madam, 114. 
Pigeons, 150. 

Pigs or swine, 1 50, 179, 232, 236, 281. 
Pike, Gen. Albert, 13, 127, 190, 209, 
238-241. 

, Alfred W., 192. 

, Benjamin, 125, 126, 127, 190, 238. 

, Charles, 226, 228. 

, Frances H., 240, 241. 

, George, 226. 

, John, 160, 187. 

, Rev. John, 256. 

, Joseph, 127, 137, 160, 170, 176, 181, 

187, 192, 201, 203. 

, Robert, 187. 

, Samuel, 120. 

, Thomas, 125, 126. 

, Thomas, Jr., 127. 

, Yvon, 240. 

Pilgrim Fathers, 22. 

Pillion, 67. 

Pillsbury, 61. 

, Alice, 221. 

, Amos, 221. 

, Enoch, 171, 189. 

, Parker, 189. 

, Paul, 16S, 171, 188-190. 

, Mrs. Paul, 190. 

, P. C, 59. 

, Phineas, 189. 

, Simeon, 221. 

Pingree, Asa, 3, 6, 52, 93. 

Pioneers, Life of, 61-69. 

Plate, 65. 

Plum Island picnics, 249. 

Sound, 45. 

Plummer, Benj., 3, 75, 106, 107. 

, J. G., 242. 

, John, 3. 

, Nathaniel, 236, 242, 280. 

Pogonia, 13. 

Politics, 175. 

Poor, 34, 92, 122. 

, A. C, 6. 

, Amos, 122. 

, Benjamin, 122, 124. 

, Betsey, 221. 

, Mrs. Catherine, 124. 

, Eliphalet, 122, 269. 



340 



INDEX. 



Poor, Henry, 3, 120. 

, H. K., 255. 

, Jeremiah, 120. 

, Jonathan, 123. 

, Capt. Joseph, 112, 123, 126, 128, 

142. 

, Micaijah, 221. 

, Bishop Richard, 34. 

, Samuel, 132. 

, S. A., 269. 

, S. T., 6, 7, 92, 120, 142, 272. 

Poor's Corner, 242. 

Poppy-squash, 75. 

Population, 7. 

Port Bill, 121. 

Porter, Ambassador, 84. 

Postage, 66. 

Potatoes, 94, 150. 

Potomac, 290. 

Pout, 13. 

Prayer-meetings, cottage, 202. 

Preaching in open air, 46. 

Preble, Brigadier, 152. 

, Commodore, 152. 

Preceptors Dummer Acad., 186, 187, 

I 93» 2I 3> 218-220. 
Presbyterian Society, 166. 
Prince, 99. 

Princeton, 123, 143, 195. 
Proctor, 41. 

, Dr., 256. 

Prophets' Chamber, 221. 
Putnam, Mr., 261. 

Quaint Diseases, 154. 
Quascacunquin, 46, 61, 275. 
Quebec, 112, 113. 

Raccoon, 12. 
Railroads, 122, 246, 260. 

, Eastern, 243. 

Read, T. B., 210, 212, 227. 
Record, baptisms, 27, 101. 

, deaths and burials, 101, 154. 

, Newbury, 1, 5. 

, Rowley, 1, 3. 

Recreations, 249. 

Reel, silk, 169. 

Religious experiences, 201-204. 

Revival, 216. 

, great, 229. 

Revolution, 167, 186. 

, French, 284. 

Ribwort tea, 118. 
Rindge, N. H., 96. 
Risk, Robert, 264. 



Risk, Mrs. Robert, 264. 

, William, 234. 

River Charles, 48. 

Merrimac, 290, 291. 

Mill, 2, 6, 46, 92. 

Parker, 15, 45, 46, 54, 92, 168, 206, 

276. 

Parker, Manufacturers, 156. 

Rowley, 2, 46. 

Rivers, Falls, 2. 
Roads, 46, 47. 
Robin, 239. 
Rogers, Aaron, 186. 

, Abner, 221. 

, B. P., 255. 

, Ezekiel, 28, 29, 30, 37, 40, 41, 46, 

55- 97- 

, George, 120. 

, J. O., 221, 254, 255, 267. 

, Mrs. J. C, 267, 269. 

, John, 2S, 29. 

, Mighill, 6. 

, Richard, 29, 30. 

, Mrs. Richard, 30. 

Ronan, R., 120. 
Root , Henry, 234. 

house, 98. 

, Dr. Martin, 215, 225, 22S, 235, 236, 

265. 

, Mrs. Martin, 210, 228, 229. 

, Mary, 268, 269. 

, Dr. R. B., 265. 

Ropes, Mr., 261. 

, average soldiers in Rev. War, 130. 

, Canada, 96. 

, divided into classes, 128. 

Rowley, Eng., 37-40. 

, , pulpit, 38, 39. 

, , , contributors to, 39. 

> , register, 39. 

Fund, 97. 

lecture, 81. 

, Mass., 3, 39, 80. 

, numbering people, 126. 

, settlers, 53. 

Rum, 180, 191. 
Rutgers, 220. 
Rye Plain, 8. 

Saddlebags, 124. 
Salary, 161, 165, 177. 

, changes in, 131. 

Salem, 8. 

Salisbury, Eng., 25, 33, 34. 
Salmon, 150, 206. 
Sanborn, George E., 269. 



INDEX. 



34i 



Sanborn, George W., 257, 269. 
Sandown, N. H., 220. 
Sandwich, Eng., 19, 20. 
Sargent, G. P., 233. 

, John, 233. 

, Winthrop, 227, 233, 234. 

Savery, 193. 

Sawyer, Abraham, 120. 

, John, 125, 126. 

, Samuel, 132. 

S. Carolina in Rev., 121. 
Schofield brothers, 167. 
School, Great Rock, 182. 
School-house, new, 261. 

, Sunday, 182, 224, 234. 

Visitor, 224. 

Schools, 67, 94, 95, 113, 114, 204, 229, 

249. 
Scott, Margaret, 60, 61. 
Searle, Mrs. Annette, 197. 

, Caleb, 234, 245. 

, E. P., 4, 12, 191, 223, 245, 269. 

, Lieut. John, 120, 126. 

, Lieut. John, Jr., 120. 

, Dea. Joseph, 159, 160. 

, Joseph, 196, 197, 223, 245. 

, Lucy, 269. 

, Moses C, 196, 197, 223, 252. 

, Samuel, 120, 129, 160. 

, Samuel W., 197. 

, Miss Susan, 197. 

, Thomas, 125. 

, Thomas C, 196, 197. 

, William, 197. 

Sears, J. H., 8, 9. 
Seminary, Female, 183. 
Sermons, 102, 153, 157. 

, Edwards, 201. 

, Election, 118, 173. 

, Fast Day, 174, 175. 

, Dr. Parish's, 159, 173, 174, 175. 

, Rev. M. Parsons, 115, 118, 149. 

, Thanksgiving, 172. 

Sewall, 20, 21, 25, 266. 

, Mrs. Ann, 21. 

, Henry, Jr., 45, 51-53, 72. 

, Judge Samuel, 12, 25, 53, 54, 5 s - 

6S, 71, 73. 76, 80-82, 87, 90, 91, 98. 

, William, 21. 

Shad, 150, 206. 

Shaw, E. P., 292, 293. 

Shays's Rebellion, 160. 

Sheep, 179. 

Shenk, Rev. Mr., 273. 

Ship building, 92. 

Ships' spars, America, 287. 



Ships' spars, England, 287. 

, France, 287. 

, Spain, 287. 

, " Doris," " Alliance," 2S7. 

, " Oliver Cromwell," 287. 

, " Protector," 287. 

Shoe-pegs, 189. 
Shoes, 198. 
Shute, Governor, 83. 
Singing, by women, 155. 

meetings, 279. 

, public worship, 155, 159, 184. 

school, 249. 

Slavery, 65, 88, 133, 134, 288. 
Slaves, 5, 80, 81, 88, 98, 99, 113, 129. 
Sleigh Society, 201. 

, Rev. Wm., 164, 166. 

Slocum, President, 292, 293, 300. 
Small-pox, 119, 128. 
Smalwode, Jack, 22. 
Smith, 41. 

, Isaac, 186, 193, 194. 

, John, 5, 137, 141, 142, 147, 161, 

266, 279. 

, Moses, 120, 126. 

, Paul, 231. 

, Thomas, 125, 231. 

Smythe, E. C, 219. 

Snow-shoes, 58, 148. 

Society, new religious, at the mills, 254, 

255- 
Soldiers, average number, 130. 

, supplies for, 257. 

Southampton, Eng., 25, 32. 
Spanish coin, 151. 
Spencer, 48, 49. 
Spinning, 118, 279. 
Spofford, A. R., 55. 

, H. M., 55. 

, Dr. Jeremiah, 276. 

, John, 54, 55, 276. 

, M. G., 4. 

, Paul, 55. 

, Paul N., 55. 

, Dr. R. S., 55, 192. 

, Hon. R. S., 55. 

Spofford's Hill, 76. 
Spofforth, Eng., 18, 19. 
Sprague's Annals, 159. 
Spring, John, 230. 
Stage-coach, 205. 
Stamp Act, 117. 
Standing Company, Old, 185. 
Standish, 161. 
Steward, Dunkin, 5, 92. 
, Ebenezer, 3. 



342 



INDEX. 



Stickney, no, 242. 

, Amos, 120, 176. 

, Andrew, 3, 5, 75, 76. 

, Benjamin, 12, 118, 120, 126, 127, 

129, 130, 136. 

, Brunswick, 188, 242. 

, Eng., 17. 

, Ira, 184, 193, 225, 226. 

, Jedediah, 112, 126, 129, 169. 

, Jonathan, 132. 

, Judith, 193. 

, Lucy W., 242. 

, Matthew A., 242, 

, Molly, Aunt, 112, 171. 

, Moses, 189. 

, Moses P., 188, 189, 193, 241, 242. 

, Sarah, 241. 

, Solomon, 180. 

, S. W., 188, 189, 241. 

, Thomas, 136. 

, William, 201. 

Stone, inscribed, 56. 

seats, 221. 

workers, 57. 

Story, Judge, 139. 

Stove, meeting-house, 183, 184. 

, salamander, 245. 

Street, Central, 6. 

, Forest, 5, 6. 

, Fruit, 6, 184. 

, Hillside, 9. 

, North, 193. 

, Orchard, 6. 

, Thurlow, 192. 
, Warren, 3, 8, 92, 93, 120, 130, 188, 

205. 
Sunday observance of, 14, 68. 

schools, 182, 224, 234. 

, branch, 224. 

superintendents, 234. 

teachers' meetings, 234. 

services, 156. 

Sunlight on Threshold, 211. 
Sweet briar, 54. 
Swords, forged, 130. 

Tablet to Governor Dummer, 261, 262. 

Tallow chandler, 287, 288. 

Tanner, 291. 

Tanneries, 169. 

Tappan, Professor, 157. 

Taverns, 93, 96, 205, 206. 

Taylor barn, n. 

lane, 153. 

Dr. N. W., 217. 

, Nat, 225. 



Tax, parish, 107, 163, 164, 166, 200, 201, 

225. 

payers, 266, 267. 

Tea, 94, 126. 

liberty, 118. 

Telegraph, 246. 
Tenney, 53, 153. 

, Caleb, 227, 233. 

, Edward S., 229. 

, F. A., 216. 

, F. V., 209, 215, 216, 217, 247. 

, G. D., 120, 175, 228. 

, James, 3, 229. 

, John, 120. 

, John S., 197, 198, 204, 280. 

, Lois, 137. 

, Lucy, 5, 190. 

, Mrs. M. S., 229. 

, Nathaniel, 120, 126, 128, 153. 

, Oliver, 119, 127. 

, Dr. Samuel, 125, 137, 147, 197, 

279. 

, Sarah, 137. 

, S. W., 197. 

, William, 249. 

Thanksgiving, 224. 
Thirloe, Francis, 2-5. 

, Thomas, 2-4. 

Thistlewood, J., 255. 
Thompson Brothers, 281. 

, Mrs. Otis, 159, 175, 281. 

Thorla, John, 120, 166. 

, Richard, 50, 52, 276. 

Thorndike, 289. 
Thousand, Three, acres, 55. 
Throat Distemper, 94. 
Thurla, Jonathan, 120. 

, Mark, 120. 

Thurlow, George, 202. 

, Thomas, 52, 101, 202. 

Tilton, Rev. G. H., 209. 

, John, 201. 

Titcomb, Colonel, 224, 232. 

, Major, no, 285. 

, Paul, 227. 

Tithing men, 68. 
Tobacco box, 99. 
Todd, Mrs. Sarah H., 114, 117, 209, 219, 

224. 
Torrey, Rev. D. C, $, 253, 254, 273, 298. 
Totnes, Eng., 23. 
Tragedy, 259. 
Trainband, 127, 2S5, 286. 
Trayhern, Major, 244. 
Trees, apple, 49. 
, Liberty, 153, 154. 



INDEX. 



343 



Trees, mulberry, 49, 169. 

, Pearson elm, 92. 

, pine, marked for navy, 287. 

, planting, 227. 

Trefren, Rev. J. L., 222. 

Trencher, 66. 

Trenton, 123. 

Trout, 13. 

Trowbridge, Judge, 119, 138, 279. 

Tucker, Dr., 178. 

Turner, 166. 

, John, 132. 

Turnip, 94. 
Twisse, Dr., 22. 

Unitarian, 147. 
Univ. California, 214. 

Valley Forge, 130, 191, 242. 
Valleys, drowned, 9. 
Valois, 2S5. 
Vane, church, 223. 
Various events, 224. 
Vestry, first, 191, 228, 229. 

, Methodist, 221, 222. 

, new, 258, 260. 

Village blacksmith, S6, 90. 
Vinson, Sarah, 102. 
Violet, 134, 135. 
Visiting, 137, 175, 176. 

Wages, 24S. 
Wagon, 67. 
Wait, Rev. D., 222. 
Walker, W., 102. 
Wall paper, 151. 
Walt ham, 199. 
War, 1 09- 1 13. 

, Civil, 229, 238, 255-258. 

, , bounties, 256. 

, , drafts, no cause for in Mass., 



256. 



& 



volunteers from Byfield, 257, 



, , woman's part in, 256, 257. 

, cost of Rev., 132. 

, Dummer's, 82-S5. 

, French, 130. 

, French and Indian, 83. 

, King Philip's, 57. 

, Mexican, 228, 23S. 

, officers in Rev., 132. 

, Pequot, 57. 

, Revolution, 1 17-133. 

, 1812, 174. 

Ware, Professor, 147. 



Warren, Joseph, 119. 
Washington, D. C, 8. 
, General, 130, 131, 169, 170, 2S3, 

284, 289, 290, 291. 

, John A., 244. 

Watton brasses, 27. 

, Eng., 26, 27, 78. 

Park, 27. 

Webber, Mrs. President, 103. 

, President, 103, 137, 145-148, 279. 

posterity, 147. 

, W. O., 147. 

Webster, Daniel, 215. 
Wentworth, Governor, 84, 141. 
Westbrook, Colonel, 84. 

Papers, 70, 84. 

West Newbury, 97, 283. 
Westport, Conn., 219. 
Wethersfield, Eng., 29. 
Whale, arrival of, 45. 

oil 248. 

Wheater, W., 75. 
Wheeler, Jonathan, 3, 75. 

, Nathan, 5, 75. 

, President, 209. 

, Lieut. Rufus, 127, 236, 237, 2S0, 

2S1. 
Wheelock, Rev. E., 161, 177. 
Wheelwright, I. W., 7, 101, 187, 259, 

263. 

, John, 263. 

Whipple, Mrs. Lizzie N., 261. 
White, A. D., 21S. 
Whitefield, Geo., 105-107, 115. 
Whittier, J. G., 215. 
Wicomb, John, 5. 
Wildes, George, 245. 

, Capt. Green, 184, 225, 226. 

Wild flowers, 13. 

William I., Emperor, 275. 

William III., King, 284. 

Williams, S., 266. 

Williston, 220. 

Winter, Mrs. B., 48. 

Winthrop, Governor, 14, 45, 49, 276. 

Witchcraft, 60, 61, 80 

Witham, Albion, 142, 279. 

, Herbert, 8, 59, 61, 120, 188, 275. 

Withington, Rev. L., 159, 165, 167, 176. 

Wolfe, General, 112, 2S5. 

Wolf-pit, 12, 276. 

Wolves, 66. 

Women, worthy, 136. 

Wood auctions, 180. 

, Charles, 230. 

, minister's, 161, 165, 177. 



344 



INDEX. 



Wood, Josiah, 3. 
Woodman, Cyrus, 70, 101. 

, Giles, 15. 

, Joseph, 132. 

, Joshua, 5, 70, 93. 

, Joshua, Jr., 5. 

, Sewall, 156, 234. 

, Mrs. Sewall, 260. 

Woods, Rev. L., 159. 
Woodward, Professor, 197. 



Yale, 141, 143, 210, 216, 218, 
Yankee economy, 65. 
Year, cold, 182. 
Yellow fever, 228. 
Yew, ancient, 25. 
York, archbishop of, 19. 
Yorkshire band, 55. 

dialect, 18. 

, West Riding, 18. 

Yorktown, 100. 



! 4 6. 



1904 



